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24
In November last, I made a complete Report
on this subject, pursuant to the following Resolution
of the Sanitary Health Committee:-
As to whether adequate means of Disinfecting (with
special reference to the provisions of the Sanitary
Act of 1866,) exists in this Parish, and, if not, to
specify in detail what could be recommended for
carrying out measures of Disinfection in an adequate
and effectual manner.
I will here remark that after more mature
experience I have nothing to add or retract on the
minute details I then proposed; the manner in which
the important subject was treated by the Vestry, by
postponing its consideration for six months, is to be
regretted, feeling assured, as I do, that this attempt to
check contagious diseases would have been successful;
while in all probability a self-supporting institution
would have met with the approval of Rate-payers.
Nothing is more objectionable than the usual obnoxious
practice of sending infected linen to a laundress;
washwomen may convey contagion to all parts of the
town; it is difficult to compel persons to carry out
properly disinfection of woollen clothes, carpets,
curtains blankets and bedding in their own homes,
while, on the contrary, there were many instances
where well-to-do persons called at the Vestry Hall,
expressing willingness to carry out disinfection, if they
could but be informed where to take the infected
things.
Sanitary authorities should offer every facility
for disinfection and cleansing, by providing a suitable
place to resort to, and afterwards see that the provisions
of the Act are duly carried out, rather than
pretend to keep up a staff of officials to do the actual
work. It is an unwise policy for any Parochial
authority to do for the community what is clearly the
duty of individuals themselves to perform.