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The Hoard had enquired (February 3rd, 1887), "Whether,
in the event of the Managers undertaking to effect the removal
of all cases of infectious disease occurring in the Metropolis,
they could do so without incurring the expense cf providing
another ambulance station, and what additional staff would be
required by them ? " to which the Managers replied that "no
other ambulance station would be necessary, and that the only
additional staff required would be drivers and stablemen in
proportion to the increased number of applications for removal."
The report of the Committee having been adopted they were
empowered to seek an interview with the President of the
Local Government Board on the subject.
COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS
DISEASE.
In my ninth monthly Report, dated 12th September, 1887
(page 80), I wrote on this subject as follows:—
" The facts (cited in the report) relating to the spread of scarlet fever
show the necessity for a General Act providing for immediate notice to be
given to the Sanitary Authority of the occurrence of infectious disease.
There is now no difference of opinion among Sanitarians as to the necessity
for such a measure; the only difference that exists is as to the proper mode
of carrying the principle into effect. Many provincial towns have obtained
the requisite powers. In some of them the duty of reporting the illness
devolves upon the medical attendant; in others upon some member of the
family of the sick person; occasionally both the doctor and the parent are
required to notify the illness—the so-called 'dual system'—aud in every case
a small fee is payable to the medical man for his certificate. Theoretical
objections have been raised to the system of Notification, and especially to the
obligatory nature of the duty cast by legislation upon the medical attendant.
But in practice the system has worked well, and with far less friction than
was anticipated. It is very unfortunate that Loudon should be without the
protection afforded to many minor towns. The necessity for legislation is
acutely felt in epidemic times like the present, which seems a suitable one for
directing the attention of the Local Government Board to the subject, with
a view to the introduction of a measure next session. We know that the
Board is favourable to the principle which is approved by its medical advisers,