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41
I have pleasure in stating that the lighting, cleansing and
keeping in repair of the public Lamps has been very satisfactory,
with the exception of the time of the Gas Stokers'
Strike. During this period the Company provided sleeping
accommodation, 4c., for the men not on strike, I therefore
inspected these departments daily and nightly during the
continuance of the strike, in order to prevent overcrowding.
I may add that the Company's officials were always ready to
fall in and comply with any suggestions that I made as to
increased ventilation, sleeping accommodation, and air space
for their employes.
The Notification of Infectious Disease Act," which came
into operation in October last, and which was made compulsory
in the Metropolis, has been so far very effectual. In
only one instance has it come to my knowledge of a case
not having been reported, and here medical advice had not
been sought; this being the first offence under the Act, the
Board did not think it desirable to prosecute, but sent a
letter cautioning the parents whose duty it was to report the
case to the Medical Officer of Health. This, together with
the fact that I am in direct telephonic communication with
the Asylum's Board, greatly facilitates the speedy removal
of all cases reported, the time usually taken from the receipt
of the notification to the removal of the patient in the
ambulance, being generally about one hour. I am therefore
enabled to greatly expedite the disinfection of the infected
premises, &c. The vast importance of these matters cannot
be over estimated, as it is only by these means that sanitary
authorities are enabled to successfully grapple with epidemics.
A case of Scarlet Fever occurred in a block of artisan
dwellings where it was impossible to procure isolation
without removal, the parents, however, refused to allow the
child to be taken away. I therefore obtained the Board's
sanction to apply for a Magistrate s Order, which was granted
on the evidence of the Medical Officer, and the child was removed,
with the assistance of the police, after a deal of trouble
Several thousand handbills have been delivered throughout