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56
As a rule, cabs which have been used for the conveyance of
infected persons to hospitals are stopped and disinfected. At
the London Fever Hospital the number of the cab is taken and
the police are made acquainted with the facts. Difficulty having
sometimes been experienced in getting the vehicle disinfected,
the Assistant Commissioner of Metropolitan Police lately put
himself in communication with the several Sanitaiy Authorities,
enquiring if the Vestry or District Board would be prepared to
disinfect public conveyances upon application, and if so, upon what
terms and where ? It was suggested also that a certificate should
be given to the cabman that the vehicle had been disinfected, so
that he might be in a position to satisfy the police when enquiry
should be made of him. The several Authorities accepted the
duty proposed to be laid upon them, agreeing to disinfect and
certify, either without charge, or on payment of a nominal fee.
A similar communication having been addressed to the
Metropolitan Asylums Board, and referred to the Ambulance Committee,
the Committee reported, after consultation with the Chief
Surgeon of Metropolitan Police (Dr. MacKellar) and the Chief
Inspector of the Public Carriage Office, to the effect that—
“ They are not prepared to recommend the Board to offer facilities
for the disinfection of public vehicles which may have been used for
the conveyance of persons suffering from infectious disorders.*
“ In the first place, they are of opinion that public vehicles do not
admit of efficient disinfection, owing to the nature of the padded
linings and other upholstery used in their construction.
“ Further, even if truthful certificates of efficient disinfection could
be given, the grant of such certificates would tend to encourage an
increased use of public vehicles for the conveyance of infectious
cases. The employment of any public vehicle for such a purpose is
obviously most undesirable, and, in the judgment of your Committee,
ought to be prohibited by law.
“ In these views it is believed that Dr. MacKellar fully concurs. He,
moreover, pointed out that the proprietors and drivers were generally
very averse to such an employment of their vehicles; and he gave
* Nevertheless, as a matter of fact, infected cabs are detained at the hopitals
and disinfected