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7
COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS
DISEASES.
This is a vexed and most delicate question upon which the Vestry
will be called upon to express its views, in the almost certain event of
future legislation upon the prevention of these diseases. It is proposed
that either the friends of the patient or the occupiers of the house, or
the medical attendant, shall be compelled to give immediate notice to
the Sanitary Authority of the existence of infectious disease in any
house. There would be great difficulties to contend with under all these
heads: in the two first, there would be natural prejudice against publishing
the fact to friends and neighbours, with probable injury to
material and pecuniary interests; on the other hand, it would be said
that those afflicted must submit, as in the case of a bodily accident, to
their own loss and degree of liability. With regard to the private
medical attendant, such a course would appear to invade that sanctity
and confidence which exist between doctor and patient. Against these
objections and individual injury by the compulsory plan, is to be opposed
the good to the general public to be derived from the immediate warning
of danger, so as to enable measures to be taken to prevent extension of
fatal diseases and epidemics. It appears to me to be unjust to compel
those who have no control over such visitations of disease, to make
unknown sacrifices for the general good, without adequate compensation.
It is upon this comprehensive principle that the question must be
met, in place of the contracted and niggardly policy which has hitherto
prevailed in questions of public health and life, some such measure must
be enforced, combined with justice, for individual sacrifice.
NEW BUILDINGS.
During the year ending March, 1883, there were erected in the
Hamlet
New houses 70
Warehouses, sheds, and stable buildings 43
Block of model dwelling houses 1
During the same period seven houses were reported upon by me
under the Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Act, 1868, and works
accomplished under the recommendations of your Surveyor. Since
January, 1879, fifty-nine houses have been reported upon, and proceedings
adopted under the provisions of this Act, which has hitherto proved
most successful in this District.