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House-to-house inspection
242
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE
INSPECTION.
ANNUAL DINNER,
After the annual meeting the members of the North Western Branch of the Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health, dined together at the Grand Hotel, Manchester. Dr. PAeET (Salford), president of the branch was in the chair, and the following members were also present: Dr. Anderson (Blackpool), Dr. Barnish (Wigan), Dr. Barr (Bury), Dr. Bower (Macclesfield), Dr. Gornall (Warrington), Dr. Hannah (Ashton), Dr. Heslop (Stretiord), Dr. Jordan (Heaton Chapel), Dr. Kenyon (Chester), Dr. Niven (Oldham), Dr, Sergeant (Lancashire), Dr. Sidebotham (Hyde), Dr. Tattersall (Eecles), Dr. Vacher (Cheshire), Dr. Vernon (Southport), and Dr. Wheatley (Blackburn). Professor A. Ransome, F.R.S., Professor Sheridan DeMpine, Dr. J. W. Mullen, and Mr. Fred Scott were present as guests. The first toast, " The Queen," was given from the chair. The second toast, " T h e Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health," was proposed by Professor RANSO~E, and responded to by Dr. VERNON. The third toast, " T h e President of the Branch," was proposed by Dr. SERGEANT, and responded to by Dr. PAGET. The fourth toast, " T h e Victoria University," was proposed by Dr. NIVEN, and responded to by Professor DELEPINE. (E~d of Proceedines of the fncarpomled Society of ~Iedical Oficers of ffea[Xh.) SMALL-POX AND VAGRANTS- - D r . H. Armstrong has sent round a circular letter, inquiring of various health officers the method by which variola was first introduced into their respective districts; whether, if by vagrants, they were lodged in the workhouse or in common lodging-houses; and whether section 83, Public Health Act, 1875 , requiring returns of vagrants visiting common lodginghouses, has been put in force in the district. The circular proceeds to inquire whether, in the opinion of the health officer avswering the queries, it is desirable that during the prevalence of small-pox all vagrants, before leaving a workhouse or common lodging-house, should be compelled to report their place of next destination to the master or keeper of such house, so as to enable such vagrants to be kept under supervision. Also whether it is in his opinion desirable that, m the event of the occurrence of small.pox in a workhouse or common lodging-hou.~e, the sanitary authority should have power (a) to compulsorily detain any vagrant who ha~ been exposed to infection until after his completion of the time of possible incubation of the disease; (b) to revaccinate the vagrant ; and (c) to disinfect the person and clothing of such vagrant. The inquiry is one which at the present time is of gTeat practical importance, and we hope that any suggestions for action arising from it will be made generally available.
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE INSPECTION. THE practice of making house-to-house inspections in well-organised sanitary districts has become so customary, and difficulty in obtaining entrance into houses is so seldom encountered, that refusal to admit is encountered with surpIisei and it is only then realised that the powers of entry under the Public Health Act are somewhat limited. A recent case at the Folkestone Police Court has drawn public attention to these points. Mr. Mudford, the editor of the Standard, who resides in Folkestone, refu~ed the local sanitary inspector admission to his house after verbal and written requests for admission had been made. Mr. Mudford's contention was that the object of the Pubhc Health Act was not to authorise a houseto-house visitation on the mere chance o f there being something wrong ; that, furthermore, he had spent about .£4o in connecting his drain with the public sewer, and that his drain was certified by a local architect and by a builder to be in perfect order. The sanitary inspector, on the other hand, stated that he had reason to think that a nuisance existed in the house because of defects found in adjacent houses, and because, judging by outside observation, the soil pipe did not appear to be properly ventilated, a bell.trap in the yard was dry, and a sink in the scullery did not appear to discharge outside. The magistrates, after taking time to consider the question, made an order for forcible entry of the sanitaxy inspector into the house in order " t o examine as to the existence of any nuisance therein." The decision, in our opinion, was in accordance with the spirit and intention of several sections of the Public Health Act, and will tend to prevent the recurrence of any obstruction to the necessary work of house-to-house inspection. An attempt, which seems to us entirely beside the mark, was made during the hearing of the case to show that the sanitary inspector had been overzealous in the discharge of his duties. It appears that during .the last three years about 2,ooo " n e w closets" have been ordered in Folkestone (the total number of houses in the town being about 5,00o). This is a very striking fact, but without lurther details as to the original condition of the closets, and what was the exact character of the notices served, we think it would be precipitate ~:o urge that the sanitary inspector has been indiscreet in the discharge of his duties. The real onus of excessive and too rapid reform, if this has occurred, lies with the sanitary authority, without whose sanction legal notices cannot be served.
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE
INSPECTION.
ANNUAL DINNER,
After the annual meeting the members of the North Western Branch of the Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health, dined together at the Grand Hotel, Manchester. Dr. PAeET (Salford), president of the branch was in the chair, and the following members were also present: Dr. Anderson (Blackpool), Dr. Barnish (Wigan), Dr. Barr (Bury), Dr. Bower (Macclesfield), Dr. Gornall (Warrington), Dr. Hannah (Ashton), Dr. Heslop (Stretiord), Dr. Jordan (Heaton Chapel), Dr. Kenyon (Chester), Dr. Niven (Oldham), Dr, Sergeant (Lancashire), Dr. Sidebotham (Hyde), Dr. Tattersall (Eecles), Dr. Vacher (Cheshire), Dr. Vernon (Southport), and Dr. Wheatley (Blackburn). Professor A. Ransome, F.R.S., Professor Sheridan DeMpine, Dr. J. W. Mullen, and Mr. Fred Scott were present as guests. The first toast, " The Queen," was given from the chair. The second toast, " T h e Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health," was proposed by Professor RANSO~E, and responded to by Dr. VERNON. The third toast, " T h e President of the Branch," was proposed by Dr. SERGEANT, and responded to by Dr. PAGET. The fourth toast, " T h e Victoria University," was proposed by Dr. NIVEN, and responded to by Professor DELEPINE. (E~d of Proceedines of the fncarpomled Society of ~Iedical Oficers of ffea[Xh.) SMALL-POX AND VAGRANTS- - D r . H. Armstrong has sent round a circular letter, inquiring of various health officers the method by which variola was first introduced into their respective districts; whether, if by vagrants, they were lodged in the workhouse or in common lodging-houses; and whether section 83, Public Health Act, 1875 , requiring returns of vagrants visiting common lodginghouses, has been put in force in the district. The circular proceeds to inquire whether, in the opinion of the health officer avswering the queries, it is desirable that during the prevalence of small-pox all vagrants, before leaving a workhouse or common lodging-house, should be compelled to report their place of next destination to the master or keeper of such house, so as to enable such vagrants to be kept under supervision. Also whether it is in his opinion desirable that, m the event of the occurrence of small.pox in a workhouse or common lodging-hou.~e, the sanitary authority should have power (a) to compulsorily detain any vagrant who ha~ been exposed to infection until after his completion of the time of possible incubation of the disease; (b) to revaccinate the vagrant ; and (c) to disinfect the person and clothing of such vagrant. The inquiry is one which at the present time is of gTeat practical importance, and we hope that any suggestions for action arising from it will be made generally available.
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE INSPECTION. THE practice of making house-to-house inspections in well-organised sanitary districts has become so customary, and difficulty in obtaining entrance into houses is so seldom encountered, that refusal to admit is encountered with surpIisei and it is only then realised that the powers of entry under the Public Health Act are somewhat limited. A recent case at the Folkestone Police Court has drawn public attention to these points. Mr. Mudford, the editor of the Standard, who resides in Folkestone, refu~ed the local sanitary inspector admission to his house after verbal and written requests for admission had been made. Mr. Mudford's contention was that the object of the Pubhc Health Act was not to authorise a houseto-house visitation on the mere chance o f there being something wrong ; that, furthermore, he had spent about .£4o in connecting his drain with the public sewer, and that his drain was certified by a local architect and by a builder to be in perfect order. The sanitary inspector, on the other hand, stated that he had reason to think that a nuisance existed in the house because of defects found in adjacent houses, and because, judging by outside observation, the soil pipe did not appear to be properly ventilated, a bell.trap in the yard was dry, and a sink in the scullery did not appear to discharge outside. The magistrates, after taking time to consider the question, made an order for forcible entry of the sanitaxy inspector into the house in order " t o examine as to the existence of any nuisance therein." The decision, in our opinion, was in accordance with the spirit and intention of several sections of the Public Health Act, and will tend to prevent the recurrence of any obstruction to the necessary work of house-to-house inspection. An attempt, which seems to us entirely beside the mark, was made during the hearing of the case to show that the sanitary inspector had been overzealous in the discharge of his duties. It appears that during .the last three years about 2,ooo " n e w closets" have been ordered in Folkestone (the total number of houses in the town being about 5,00o). This is a very striking fact, but without lurther details as to the original condition of the closets, and what was the exact character of the notices served, we think it would be precipitate ~:o urge that the sanitary inspector has been indiscreet in the discharge of his duties. The real onus of excessive and too rapid reform, if this has occurred, lies with the sanitary authority, without whose sanction legal notices cannot be served.