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26
PREVENTION OF THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS
DISEASES
Is one of the chief duties appertaining to the office I hold;
and it is one which constantly engages the attention of all the
officers in my Department. A difficulty with which we have to
contend is the want of information of the occurrence of non-fatal
cases of illness; and it has been my constant endeavour to increase
our sources of such information.
It may not be out of place to state what progress has been made :—
1. By virtue of the arrangement entered into between your
Vestry and the Sub-district registrars of deaths, seven
years ago, I duly receive notice of all deaths from the
graver infectious diseases (small pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria,
typhus, enteric and simple continued fevers), within
a few hours after they have been registered. It may
be observed that when a death has occurred from an infectious
disease there is always a probability of finding other
cases of illness in the same house or locality, and such
discovery not unfrequently results from the Sanitary
Inspector's visit. Now and then the registration of a
death has been unduly delayed—sometimes probably
with the object of temporary concealment of the cause of
death. It would be well if registration within a limited
period, say twenty-four hours, were made compulsory.
2. The Relieving Officers, by direction of the Board of Guardians,
report all cases of infectious diseases that come under their
cognizance, and generally these are cases that have been,
or are about to be, removed to the hospitals of the Metropolitan
Asylum District Board, admission to which (practically
denied to no person) can only be obtained on the
order of a relieving officer, or the master of a workhouse.
3. Similar information is given by the Resident Medical Officer
of the Kensington Dispensary, by direction of the Committee
of Management; but we seldom hear of sickness
through any similar institution; and it is matter of
regret that many cases that ought to be removed to the
hospitals are kept at home, and treated by medical men
attached to the so-called " provident dispensaries."
4. Medical men favour me occasionally with information of
cases, and more especially when they desire assistance in
order to get the sufferers (e.g., domestic servants") removed
to the hospitals.
5. A somewhat important step in advance has been effected
lately by the action of the London School Board, who, at
my request, have instructed the Superintendents of Divisions
throughout the Metropolis to desire the "Visitors" to report