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are at a disadvantage in this matter, as they have no legal power
to pay health visitors. The Bill would have empowered Local
Authorities to appoint and pay suitable women as health visitors
"for the purpose of giving to persons advice as to the proper
nurture, care, and management of children under five years
of age, including the promotion of cleanliness."
Pollution of Rivers.
Legislation dealing with the Pollution of Rivers has had
to be postponed once more. This matter cannot be indefinitely
postponed, and it is hoped that time for its consideration may
be found in an early session.
Consolidation of the Public Health Acts.
The necessary Consolidation of the Public Health Acts
seems farther off than ever, but that also is a matter which
cannot be indefinitely put aside.
Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1911.
During the past year the Local Government Board have
taken a long step in connection with the crusade against consumption
by providing by means of regulations under Section
130, Public Health Act, 1875, for the compulsory notification
of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Regulations requiring
the notification of cases occurring in hospitals, sanatoria, and
institutions of that kind came into operation on 1st May, 1911;
the regulation dated 15th November, 1911, requiring medical
practitioners to notify every case of pulmonary tuberculosis
occurring in the course of their public or their private practices,
comes into operation on 1st January, 1912. It is to be hoped
that the campaign against this disease may eventually meet
with great success.