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33
The character and scope of legislation which the
Committee on explosive substances recommended, has
regard to dangers that have long threatened the public
safety. The illegal storage and manufacture of fireworks
and explosive substances, is now a continual
source of accidents and deaths. A new and comprehensive
Act, repealing existing ones, has been framed
to protect the public and work-people. It will in all
probability pass next session.
In addition to the Bills prepared, and Acts passed,
theVaccination laws have been strengthened by a short
amendment, the Infant Life Protection Act has been
amended, and a standing order has passed in the
House of Commons that Railway Bills, and other
improvements, or demolitions, affecting the dwellings of
working people, shall show in what way they propose
to substitute other dwellings in lieu of the old ones.
Sanitary Missionaries or Nurses.
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I would briefly call attention to another step taken
during the past year, indicative of the sanitary progress
of the age. The Members of the Order of St. John
have formed a National Association for providing
trained nurses for the sick-poor in London and in the
Provinces. This Association has already received the
co-operation and support of ladies and gentlemen
interested in the diffusion of sanitary knowledge and
appliances. The presence of persons of intelligence,
conversant with the wants of the sick-poor, has been
alluded to in one of my early reports, 1868 - 69,
page 15, wherein I expressed my belief that beneficial
and unexpected results would in all probability follow
the employment of sanitary missionaries, men or women,
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