View report page

i56
i908

iNFECTiOUS DiSEASES iN BUSiNESS PREMiSES.
it has frequently been pointed out in these reports that there are no
returns which show so clearly and emphasize so strongly the utility of the
notification of diseases of an infectious character as those which give a list of the
trades and businesses that are conducted on premises wherein they have
occurred.
in looking down the annexed table, in which the full particulars are
given, it will be noticed that Scarlet Fever was found in ii houses wherein
bootmakers conducted their businesses; in i0 wherein dressmaking was conducted;
in 8 wherein hairdressing was carried on; in 5 schools; in 3 tailors'
establishments; in 3 sweet shops; in G grocers' premises, and in numerous
other places. it can easily be understood that if precautions were not taken
in such businesses as the above, such a disease as this would in
all probability be spread broadcast among the public. in nearly every case
the patients were removed to hospital and the premises disinfected, while in
those instances in which they were allowed to remain at home, they were so
isolated that it was impossible for the infection to be conveyed to the parts
of the premises on which the trade was being carried on.
in a few instances it became necessary to threaten the stoppage of the
business under section i09 of the Factory and Workshops Act, if the patients
were not removed to hospital, but fortunately such refusals were not persisted
in, and therefore it was not necessary to invoke the powers given in that section.
The return set out in Table CXi. shows that i63 cases of Scarlet Fever,
54 of Diphtheria, i2 of Enteric Fever, and 36 Erysipelas were noted on
business premises.