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104
VOLUNTARY NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS
DISEASES.
Whilst awaiting the advent of a system of compulsory
notification of infectious diseases, constant efforts have been
made, since my appointment in 1871, to obtain, by "voluntary
notification," information of the occurrence of such diseases, and
it will not be out of place here, to recapitulate the sources from
which information is now received.
1. By virtue of an arrangement entered into between your Vestry and the
sub-district registrars, in 1871, I receive notice of every death from
the graver infectious diseases (small-pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria,
typhus and enteric fever), immediately after registration. When a
death from an infectious disease has occurred, there is always a
probability of finding cases of illness in the same house or in the
locality, and such discovery not unfrequently results from the
Sanitary Inspector's visit, made, as it is, without loss of time.
Occasionally it may be mentioned the registration of a death is
unduly delayed—sometimes, apparently, with the object of temporary
concealment of the cause of death: it would be well, therefore, were
registration within a limited period, say twenty-four hours,
made compulsory.
2. The Relieving Officers, by direction of the Board of Guardians, report
oases of dangerous infectious disease that come to their knowledge,
and generally these are cases that have been, or are about to be, removed
to the hospitals of the Asylums Board.
3. The Asylums Board report small-pox and fever cases admitted into
their hospitals, by sending immediate notice to the local Medical
Officer of Health. They also forward, weekly, a complete list of
admissions to their land and river hospitals during the previous seven
days.
4. The Resident Medical Officer of the Kensington Dispensary reports
infectious eases, which he is not allowed to treat in the homes of the
poor.
5. Medical men occasionally report eases, especially when they desire
assistance to get patients (e.g., domestic servants) removed to hospital;
or when they require the aid of the disinfecting staff.
6. The Chief Commissioner of Police has instructed Divisional Surgeons
that on the occurrence of infectious disease being reported in the residence
of a police officer, the Medical Officer of Health is to receive due
notice of the fact.