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"to any other person, without having such house,
"room, or part of a house, and all articles therein
"liable to retain infection, disinfected to the
"satisfaction of a qualified Medical Practitioner,
"as testified by a certificate given by him, such
"person shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding
"£20." During the outbreak of small.pox, which
occurred in January, February and March, these
Sections were applied in very numerous instances.
In every case where small.pox was reported (unless
it was known that proper measures of precaution
had been already taken) a notice was served on the
occupier of the house in which the patient resided,
requiring him to use means for disinfection. In
order to ensure the effectual performance of this
duty, the owners of property were advised to have
it carried out, whenever possible, under the
immediate supervision of the Inspector, who
invariably visited the premises at the same time
that he delivered to the parties interested the
printed form of notice. With a similar view the
Vestry sanctioned the employment of a labourer
and the use of chemicals at the public expense in
all cases in which there appeared reasonable ground
for supposing that the requirements of the notice
could not be otherwise satisfactorily carried out.
The good thus effected was, unquestionably, very
great, not merely because it ensured the adoption
of the best means for preventing the spread of the
disease through the clothes and bedding of the sick,
but because it inspired confidence into the minds
of those who were exposed to infection, and thus by
quieting their apprehension, diminished their risk.