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17
Prosecution of an Unqualified Practitioner.
An unqualified man residing in Galt Street, called at the
office in February and asked for notification forms as he desired
to notify three cases of Diphtheria. The forms—which
are for the sole use of Qualified Medical men—were duly filled
in by him, and he afterwards informed the Sanitary Clerk that
there was no need for the Inspector to visit the premises as the
children were properly isolated. Knowing that the man was
unqualified, I at once communicated with the Registrar of the
General Medical Council, who advised me to visit the patients as
if they had not been notified at all. I did so, and found the three
children notified in bed in a small room. In addition there
was a fourth child in the same bed who was also suffering from
Diphtheria. On making inquiries I found that another child,
who was the original cause of the disease was in the kitchen
recovering from the disease. On the following day a sixth
child was taken ill, and the six were removed to the Fever
Hospital.
I reported the matter to the Sanitary Committee, and the
Board was advised that no proceedings could be taken by them
against the man that had notified the disease. The General
Medical Council were unable also to take any steps in the matter,
and, at my suggestion, the Society of Apothecaries were
communicated with. The Secretary informed me that the
Society would take proceedings provided I would undertake to
procure the necessary evidence. This I accordingly did, and
a summons was taken out at the Bow County Court, and (he
defendant was fined £20.
Plague Precautions.
In October, I was informed that a man residing in York
Buildings, Maroon Street, was suffering from a disease resembling
Plague. After visiting him, I informed the Medical
Officer of Health to the London County Council that it was
a case requiring further investigation, and Dr. Cantlie—an