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150
The due carrying out of the Act will probably involve
considerable expense. The average number of infectious
cases coming annually to the cognizance of the Vestry
during the last live years was 627; but a large number of
such cases has hitherto not been reported at all, and it is
certain that henceforth the average will be largely increased.
It is not likely to be less, I should think, than from one to
two thousand, and possibly may be more. A thousand halfcrowns
amount to £125, and it is probable therefore that the
annual cost of notification for the Parish will not be less than
from £100 to £200 a year.
It is provided by the Act that, on condition that a copy
of each medical certificate is forwarded within twelve hours
of its receipt to the Asylums Board, the fee for such
certificate shall be recouped to the Vestry by that Board.
It is obviously desirable that this provision should be complied
with; not only because thereby the Vestry will
transfer the main cost of the working of the Act to the
Asylums Board, but also because it is right that the Asylums
Board should be kept fully informed of the facts with regard
to the prevalence and distribution of infectious diseases in
the Metropolis.
But the due carrying out of the Act by the Vestry will
also involve considerable labour, especially if the Asylums
Board is to be kept supplied with early information. And
I do not see how the work can be done, compatibly with the
due performance of their other duties, by any of the present
Sanitary staff. It will be within your recollection that the
appointment of a clerk in the Sanitary Department has
been under consideration on various occasions. I have not