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175
[1912
TRADES AND BUSINESSES CARRIED ON IN THE HOMES
OF PATIENTS.
Another very important return is that which shows the various trades and
businesses carried on in the houses in which infectious diseases occurred. A
study of Table XCIX. will probably surprise many people, for it shows very
plainly how easily infection can be carried from one home to another in the
mere matter of trading if precautions were not taken. During the year
infectious disease was discovered in 184 houses in which businesses were
carried on, the most important of which, from a public health point of view,
were the following:—
Box making 7 Boot making 9
Blouse making 2 Baby Carriage making 1
Butchers 3 Bakers 2
Confectioners 9 Clothiers 1
Coffee house 1 Dress and Costume making 6
Drapers 4 Dairy 4
Flower making .1 Furniture dealers 5
Florists 3 Greengrocers 7
Tailor 7 Mantle making 4
Millinery 3 Mangling 1
Newsagent 4 Tiemaking 2
Such a list as this shows that if these cases of infection were left unisolated,
much mischief to the public might accrue; and, therefore, when cases
of infectious disease occur on business premises a strong effort is made to have
them removed to hospital. The powers under section 109 of the Factory and
Workshop Act have been of great assistance in the past in dealing with
premises on which cases of Small Pox or Scarlet Fever are found, for they
provide that if the occupier of a factory or workshop or any place from which
work is given out, or any contractor employed by any such occupier causes or
allow wearing apparel to be made, cleansed, 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, unless he proves that he was unaware
of the existence of the illness in the dwelling house, and could not
reasonably be expected to have become aware of it, he shall be liable to a
fine not exceeding £10. This stringent enactment when quoted to the proprietors
of businesses which it affects, usually has an immediate effect.
A full list of the trades and businesses affected during the year is given
in the following Table:—