View report page

106
Whilst the regulations indicated in the above
resolutions would undoubtedly be of use for checking
the spread of infection, they would greatly
interfere with the “liberty of the subject,” and would
certainly press very hardly on many of the more
respectable class of vagrants, using the word in its
true sense of “wanderers.” It appears that much
benefit would be gained if the workman out of work,
who really is on the tramp to find employment, could
have a “worker's ticket,” vouching for his respectability,
and entitling him to] better quarters and food
than falls to his lot at present. Such a system would
enable a proportion of vagrants to be traced throughout
their tramps, would lead to the separation of
many from any chance sources of infection, and would
leave a residuum of individuals qf the lowest class,
who would suffer a minimum of hardship through any
interference with their liberty.
As an illustration of the manner in which some
“Refuges” are carried on, may be mentioned the
case of a Church Refuge in this Parish, which was
brought under the notice of the Sanitary Committee
at the close of the year, where from 500 to 600 men
were received nightly, without any selection, into one
large loft. The accommodation provided amounted to
a low bench and table, and the air space was something
under 75 cubic ft. per man. The men must have been
sitting in contact with each other, and the danger of
spread of disease under such circumstances is very real.