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86
Medical Officers of Health Annual Report.
case of infectious disease, where proper means could not
be provided at home.
Police Court
Proceedings.
Magisterial proceedings were taken during the
year in 17 cases. 11 were for the enforcement
of notices requiring the abatement of nuisances;
5 in respect of contravention of by-laws, by not giving
the required notice to the Sanitary Authority before
proceeding to execute sanitary works, &c. and one under
the provisions of the - Public Health (London) Act for the
prevention of the spread of infectious disease, in regard to
the exposure of a child suffering from Scarlet Eever in the
desquamating stage, in a public place. In this case, notwithstanding
cautions by the sanitary officers, the parents
had exposed the child, and the magistrate inflicted a fine
of £2 and 20s. costs.
•
Of the 17 summonses issued, 3 were withdrawn
upon payment of costs by the defendants, the necessary
works having been satisfactorily carried out, and in the
remaining 14 instances, magistrate's orders were obtained,
and in one case the full penalty was inflicted for noncompliance
with such order.
I have again to express my regret at the falling off
in house-to-house inspection, which is undoubtedly one
of the most important duties of the Health Department,
and trust that the Local Committee may at an early
date see their way clear to give additional aid for the
carrying out of this work. It would, moreover, enable
us to determine where, with advantage, the bye-laws
relative to houses let in lodgings might advisedly be
put into force.
During the year difficulties have occasionally been
experienced in effectually dealing with the disinfection