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to the contrary and consequently no chance of obtaining a conviction
before a magistrate, as the Public Health Act only
requires notification when the head of the family is aware of the
existence of infectious disease, and does not require him to take
any means to become aware, such as obtaining medical advice.
3. It is to be hoped that the Act will be improved in this
respect before long. The Health Committee did what was
possible under the circumstances; on my suggestion they directed
me to write a notice of warning, threatening legal proceedings
against any one who was found to be concealing the existence of
infectious disease, or exposing any one suffering from such
disease. This was printed and 9000 copies distributed house to
house.
4. I have been in communication with the Director General
of Ordnance Factories on the above subject, and am at present
considering with the Medical Officers of the Arsenal the whole
question of the working of the Arsenal regulations as to infectious
diseases with a view to encouraging the use of the Fever
Hospital without being too strict in making it obligatory. The
question is beset with difficulties, but I hope a via media may be
found.
Small Pox.
5. There were 22 cases of Small Pox compared with 2 and
51 cases in the two preceding years. 15 went to hospital and
2 died, 1 at home and 1 at hospital. Only one of the cases
notified was under 5 years of age.
6. I beg to refer to my last report (p. 6) as to the necessity
of re-vaccination.