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involve, having encouraged the passing of the Acts referred to, and
which would never have become law without their concurrence.
The only question, therefore, that remained was, How should we
set to work to accomplish the object in view? I submitted that
the first step should be to endeavour to unite the "Nuisance
Authorities" (Vestries and District Boards of Works) in support
of a scheme by inviting them to send delegates to a "Conference"
to be held at a convenient season, and at a central place, to consider
the whole subject, including the question of depauperising
the relief given to the sick in the infectious disease hospitals. I
suggested that a brief statement of the case and of the grounds of
action should be prepared, and that when the Nuisance Authorities
were invited to send delegates to the conference a sufficient number
of copies of such statement should be supplied, so that one might
be sent to every Vestryman and every Member of a District Board.
Thus each authority would be in a position, and delegates would
come prepared, to consider the subject on its merits.
Lastly, assuming a successful issue to the conference, I proposed
that the delegates should apply to the President of the Local
Government Board to receive a deputation to submit whatever resolutions
they should have come to; and that other public bodies
known to sympathise with the views herein expressed, should be
asked to join with the delegates in a combined deputation—such
bodies, among others, as the Society of Medical Officers of Health,
the British Medical Association, &c., &c.
After debate on the day in question, December 22nd, 1880, continued
at the following meeting, January 19th, 1881, the following
resolutions were unanimously agreed to, on the proposition of C.
H. Campbell, Esq., J.P., viz.:—
1. That this Vestry approve the principle of compulsory intimation to the
Public Health Authority of all cases of such diseases as Small-pox,
Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Typhus, Typhoid Fever, and Cholera.
2. That this Vestry do invite the other Vestries and District Boards of
the Metropolis to unite with them in an effort to obtain the necessary
legislation on the subject, and with that view, to depute delegates to
represent them at a Conference to be held at an early date, at this
Town Hall, or some other convenient place.
3. That the Medical Officer of Health be requested to draw up, in the
name of this Vestry, a concise Memorandum on the whole subject, and