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As soon as possible, on receipt of a notification, an inspector
visits the house and ascertains whether the patient
has been removed to hospital, and at the same time
acquires information as to the school attended (if a child)
or the place of business (if any) at which the patient has
been working, the source of the milk supply, or any
particulars known as to contact with any previous case
and also as to the means of isolation, if the friends do
not wish the patient to be sent to hospital. He also
leaves a notice containing the provisions of the law as to
the exposure of infected persons or things, the casting of
infectious articles into the dust-bins, &c., &c.
A notice is then sent to the head teachers of the schools
attended by any children residing in the infected house,
cautioning them not to admit any children until they
have been informed that the house is free from infection.
A notice has been sent also to the superintendent of
visitors for the district as required by the Board's order.
The information is reported to the Medical Officer of
Health, and if the means of isolation are deemed to be
insufficient from the nature of the habitation, pressure is
brought to bear to obtain consent for the patient's
removal to the isolation hospital. In no instance in the
past year has it been necsssary to take legal proceedings
to compel removal, persuasion have been sufficient in all
instances.
It may be pointed out here that the removal of a
patient to hospital is very easily effected under the present
regulations of the Metropolitan Asylums Board. An
application from anyone (not even necessarily a medical
man) stating particulars as to name, age, sex, disease,
and full postal address, will be attended to provided a
medical certificate is left at the house stating the disease
from which the patient suffers, and that he is fit for
removal to hospital. This certificate must be handed to