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33
CLEANSING OP PERSONS ACT, 1897.
This is an Act to permit Local Authorities to provide apparatus
for cleansing and disinfection for persons infested with vermin.
The essential part of the Act is section 1, which reads as
follows:—
1.—" On and after the passing of this Act any Local
Authority shall have the power, when in their discretion they
shall see fit, to permit any person who shall apply to the said
Authority, on the ground that he is infested with vermin, to
have the use, free of charge, of the apparatus (if any) which the
Authority possess, for cleansing the person and his clothing
from vermin. The use of such apparatus shall not be considered
to be parochial relief or charitable allowance to the person
using the same, or to the parent of such person, and no such parent
or person shall by reason thereof be deprived of any right or
privilege or be subject to any disqualification or disability. "
" Local Authorities may expend any reasonable sum on
buildings, appliances, and attendants that may be required for the
carrying out of this Act, and any expenses for these purposes
may be defrayed out of any rate or fund applicable by the
Authority for general sanitary purposes or for the relief of the
poor."
This Act was considered by the Public Health Committee, but
while sympathising with the object of the Act, they could not see
their way to make any recommendation at present on the subject,
and adjourned its further consideration sine die.
I am of the opinion that in the interests of the Public Health,
the Local Authority should adopt the Act, and make provisions in
accordance with the above quoted section. It must be remembered,
that in providing means to cleanse persons from vermin the Local
Authority are doing the public generally a service; for these infested
persons travelling in public vehicles are very likely to affect cleanly
persons; and any good done to these unfortunate people is a service
rendered to Public Health.
C