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1903] 184
INFECTIOUS DISEASES ON BUSINESS PREMISES.
If the notification of infectious diseases needed any justification at this time
it would surely be found in the fact that it enables sanitary authorities to
discover if any trades are being carried on in the houses in which they have
broken out and if the goods manufactured under such circumstances are likely to
convey infection to outsiders. The Factory and Workshop Act particularly
recognizes the danger, and by its 109th section enacts that
" If the occupier of a factory or workshop or of any place
" from which any work is given out, or any contractor employed
" by any such occupier, causes or allows wearing apparel to be made,
" cleaned or repaired in any dwelling-house or building occupied
" therewith, whilst any inmate of the dwelling-house is suffering from
" scarlet fever or small-pox, then unless he proves that he was not
" aware of the existence of the illness in the dwelling-house, and
" could not reasonably have been expected to become aware of it, he
" shall be liable to a fine not exceeding ten pounds."
Trades carried on in Invaded Premises.—Altogether 184 premises,
in which a trade or business was carried on were discovered, and of these, ior
were infected with Scarlet Fever, 46 with Diphtheria, 13 with Enteric Fever,
and 24 with Erysipelas.
Scarlet Fever was found in homes where the following businesses, among
many others, were conducted: Butcher, Bootmaker, Baker, Confectioner,
Dressmaker, Dairy, Draper, Fishmonger, General Dealer, Greengrocer, Laundry,
Mangling, Mantlemaker, Milkshop, Newsagent, Publican, Schools, Tailor.
Diphtheria invaded the premises where the following businesses were
conducted: Butcher, Bootmaker, Boxmaking, Confectioner, Dressmaking,
Draper General Dealer, Grocer, Laundry, Milkshop, Newsagent, Publican and
Tailor,