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46
SECTION V.
LEGISLATION OF 1918.
Acts, Circulars, Orders, Regulations, etc.
1.—Public Health (Notification of Infectious Disease) Regulations,
1918.
These regulations, dated January 19th, were accompanied by a circular
of same date. They came into force on March 1st, 1918. Two forms for notification
by medical praotitioners are presented, one for use in the Metropolis
and the other in the provinces. These forms are to be used for all forms of
infectious disease. I circularised the midwives and medical practitioners
thereon. The notification by midwives under the Ophthalmia Neonatorum
Regulations, 1914, remains as heretofore. It is permitted (with a view to
economy) that the stock of old forms should be used up.
2.—Representation of the People Act, 1918.
In February, the Clerk submitted this Act to the Council, together with
the circular of the Local Government Board of 16th February. Within one
month of the passing of the Act (sections 31 and 39) the Council had to put its
terms into effect. The Clerk was instructed to prepare a scheme, which he
submitted on March 1st, to a special meeting, and as revised to one on the 6th.
On the 26th March, 10 polling districts were agreed to and polling places. By
a letter of April 6th, the Local Government Board fixed a scale of registration
expenses.
3.—Poor Law.
In April I drew attention to the report on the Poor Law by the Local
Government Committee of the Ministry of Reconstruction, dated 17th
January, 1918. It advised the transfer of the functions of poor-law authorities
in England and Wales to the larger Public Health Authorities, e.g.,
County, County Borough and District Councils of areas with over 50,000
inhabitants.
4.—Blind.
In response to a circular of the Local Government Board which defined
blind people as "All those too blind to perform work for which eyesight is
essential," my Council, in April, advertised for such persons in the "Tottenham
Herald." Forms of particulars, when filled in, would form a register for
the information of the Board who were considering what can best be done for
these unfortunate persons. Strange to say, I only received one application !
5.—Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1918 (No, 1).
with circular of same date, 4th July. This Order of the Local Government
Board met the alterations in the age limits of males liable for military service
and rescinds the orders of 1916 and 1917.