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infectious disease in his home, the theory being that he is capable of
conveying disease to his fellows. It is a salutary rule, and not unreasonable,
inasmuch as persons in the above classes can so easily get
their sick removed to special hospitals for isolation and treatment.
I am writing to you on this subject because I know of two recent
instances in which men employed by your Company have continued
at their work while infectious disease (scarlet fever) existed in their
families. The sick have been kept at home despite our efforts to have
them removed to hospital, and the circumstances are such as to suggest
a strong probability that the working men may easily spread disease
by their infected clothing. If the Company take any interest in this
matter we might aid them and they might aid us."
The Secretary in reply stated that my letter “came most
opportunely," as the Medical Officer to whom it had been forwarded,
had been instructed to “procure general information
on the administration of the Medical Department, which has
now assumed large proportions."
The Medical Officer subsequently informed me that he was
“engaged in trying to organize more careful supervision over
the health of the staff," promising to send me a copy of their
“regulations and improvements with reference to infectious
disease."
Later on he said that he had been
“unable to frame any definite regulations to prevent workmen
going from infected houses to the works. The whole matter is hedged
round with difficulties. It appears still more dangerous to prevent
workmen going to the gas works than to allow them to continue their
occupation in the disinfectant atmosphere of coal gas works."
The Medical Officer concluded by asking my advice in this
matter, and as to what, in my opinion, the Company ought to do ?
Thereupon I wrote as follows (February 27th, 1883):—
“I would beg to say that if you are unable to frame any definite
regulations to prevent workmen going from infected houses to the
works, it would be possible to insist
(1) That the house should be made non.infective by removal of
the sick and disinfection; or (2) that the workman should take
lodgings away from the house while it is infective. At the
least I would say (as you ask me what the Gas Light and
Coke Company ought to do) the Company should insist on Notifi.