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Station," and to connect the door with an electric bell ringing in the
Disinfecting Station. I am informed by the Surveyor that the cost
of this would be £5 4s., if the connections were made with lead
covered wire, and £5 14s. if overhead phosphor wires carried on
insulators were used. The present disinfecting staff could deal with
the work at first, but if very many persons applied for disinfection,
it would be necessary to engage an extra man. For cleansing women
it would be necessary to employ a woman attendant, but at first it
would be advisable to employ a temporary attendant per hour.
It would be necessary to allow for the cost of towel washing, soap,
and printing notices, &c. At first it is not likely that a very large
number of persons would apply for cleansing, and the expenditure
in the first year would probably be not more than about £50.
If the Council decide to administer the Act it would be advisable
to call attention to the fact that provision for cleansing and
disinfection had been made, by exhibiting printed notices in common
lodging houses, relief stations, dispensaries and other public places.
The Health Committee, after considering the report,
deferred any further action until the early part of 1906, so that
the necessary expenses involved in carrying out the provisions
of the Act might be included in the annual estimates.
Midwives' Act, 1902.
This important Act is administered in London by the
London County Council, who are the local supervising
authority, but duties of considerable importance, relating to the
disinfection of midwives who> have been attending patients
suffering from puerperal fever or other infectious diseases,
devolve upon the Borough Councils, who are the local Sanitary
Authorities. Rule 5 of the rules framed by the Central
Midwives' Board provides as follows
5. Whenever a midwife has been in attendance upon
a patient suffering from puerperal fever, or from any other
illness supposed to be infectious, she must disinfect herself
and all her instruments and other appliances to the
satisfaction of the local Sanitary Authority, and must have
her clothing thoroughly disinfected before going to another
labour. Unless otherwise directed by the local supervising