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54
Special Powers of Council.
The Order confers some special powers upon Councils for the purpose of the
prevention of the spread of infection in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. By
Article VII. (2) of the Order the Council are empowered to take the necessary
measures to secure the disinfection of infected premises and of infected articles,
and to secure the destruction of infectious discharges. They are also empowered
to supply all such reasonable assistance as will tend to diminish the risk of
infection arising from the conditions affecting the use or occupation by the
patient of a room as a sleeping apartment, and to supply for the use of the
patient any appliance, utensil, or article (such, for instance, as sputum boxes or
bottles, paper handkerchiefs, and disinfectants) which may be of assistance in
preventing the spread of infection.
An important object of notification is to afford the local authority an opportunity
of investigating the conditions under which the patient has been living,
and of ascertaining whether there are any other members of the household who
should be encouraged to obtain medical advice. When investigating the
conditions of living, special attention should be paid to the abatement of overcrowding,
the provision of ample through ventilation, the removal of conditions
causing dampness of the dwelling, the avoidance of dust, and to any other
conditions tending to injure the health of the occupants of the dwelling.
Councils are already empowered to provide hospitals for the treatment of
pulmonary tuberculosis, and the Board are advised that this power extends to
the provision of dispensaries or hospitals for the treatment of out-patients.
It will be for each Council to consider whether its district has sufficient
hospital provision for cases of tuberculosis.
Many Councils have provided Hospitals for acute Infectious Diseases, and it
has sometimes been found that these buildings, or some part of them, may
(subject to proper safeguards) be economically used as sanatoria for patienls
suffering from tuberculosis where they are not required for the purposes for
which they were provided.
The Order will allow of the provision of appliances or apparatus, such as
temporary shelters, with the necessary furniture and utensils for the use of the
patient; and by these means patients may sometimes be treated at their homes
under suitable sanitary conditions, or continue treatment at home after a short
stay in a sanatorium.
By paragraph (v) of Article VII. (2) powers are given to the Council of
appointing such officers and making such arrangements as may be requisite for
giving advice and for carrying out the provisions of the present Regulations
and of the Regulations of 1908.
Under Article VII. (3) the Council, on the advice of their Medical Officer of
Health, may provide and publish or distribute in the form of placards, handbills,
or leaflets, suitable summaries of information and instruction respecting
pulmonary tuberculosis and the precautions to be taken against the spread of
infection. They are thus enabled to exercise an educative influence both upon
phthisical patients and contacts, and upon public opinion generally.