London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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St Pancras 1912

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, London, Borough of]

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47
purpose. Particulars in regard to all children so excluded must be reported
on form 84. 111 the event of the required medical certificate not being submitted
within four weeks head teachers are to communicate with the school medical
officer for instructions as to re-admission of the children.
PROPOSED COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION OF LEPROSY.
On the 28th February, 1912, the Council informed the Local Government
Hoard that they were of opinion that leprosy should be made a notifiable
disease for the purpose of controlling the movements and habits of the patients,
but that before passing the necessary resolution to effect this, as they are
empowered to do by the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, the Council would
be glad to receive the views of the Board on the subject.
A communication, in reply, was received from the Board, stating that they
had the matter under consideration, but would be glad to be informed what
action the Council contemplate should be taken in the event of cases of leprosy
being made compulsorily notifiable.
On the 12th June, 1912, the Local Government Board were informed that
the action the Council contemplate should be taken in the event of cases of
leprosy being made notifiable by Local Government Board Order is as follows :—
1.—To localise and ascertain history of cases.
2.—To observe whether number is increasing or decreasing.
3.—To ascertain whether a case is of (a) close or (b) open type.
(ia) If of close type no special precautions would be necsssary.
(b) If of open type, to obtain medical opinion as to any precautions to
be taken in the home, and if the patient be seriously ill to provide
proper segregation and nursing.
4. — Not to put any enactment into force which imposes a penalty or
restricts the occupation of a patient.
I11 reply to n question in the House of Commons on the 20tli March, 1913,
the President of the Local Government Board stated—"There are only a few
cases of leprosy in this country, and so far as I am aware, the disease is not
spreading here. I am advised that measures for the compulsory segregation
of persons suffering from leprosy in this country would not be justified at
present. I may add that the whole question is under the careful consideration
of my Department."