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LONDON FIRES.
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dogs
in their districts; (6) that in the event of its being themselves off as such on honourable practitioners, to the of and of their their This is not a injury practice patients. conclusively proved that M. Pasteur’s system provides & mere theoretical case. And we advise medical practitioners preventive remedy, facilities should be afforded for its to be particular in asking all reasonable evidence of state- application in England. In our next issue we purpose mentsmade by persons who are strangers to them. We dealing at length with the report. often receive complaints that representations made are not confirmed by actual experience. It is only fair to the general DUTCH FACTORY LEGISLATION. body of gentlemen who lay themselves out for locum tenens’ work-many of whom are highly capable men-to use THE Dutch Government, while prosecuting agitators, has precautions against those who bring discredit on a most thought fit to mitigate the cause of agitation by bringing useful class. Of course registration is only a legal form of forward laws for the protection of workpeople. Despatches qualification, and is not more important than evidence as to from the Hague announce that the Committee of the Second personal qualification, for procuring which each practitioner Chamber advise the restriction of the work of boys and girls must itely on himself. under sixteen years of age, and urge that young women under eighteen should be absolutely forbidden to work at LONDON FIRES. night or on Sundays. The work-day must be divided by THE great fire which on Saturday evening last destroyed two hours’ rest for meals, and the committee also advises a large portion of Mr. Whiteley’s premises at Westbourne- that women should not be allowed to work till a full month grove has once more directed public attention to the after their confinement. Further, there are recommendaundeniable insufficiency of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade tions dealing with the inspection of factories and workshops for the important duty which is cast upon it. It is under- by qualified officials. Laws are proposed to protect the stood that the responsible authorities feel their deficiency health and personal security of workmen, and measures for most keenly in the matter of horses; but from the figures creating a reserve fund for old age, deaths, accidents, and that have been made public it would seem that the force is illness. How far all these beneficent suggestions will meet not less under-manned than under-horsed, and that a sub- with the approval of the Legislature still remains to b& stantial addition ought to be made forthwith to Captain seen. The agitation prevailing in the country points to the Shaw’s resources both in men and material. The total force necessity of some such measures, and doubtless the statesincludes 589 men. It could hardly be too much to assume men of Holland will have the wisdom to yield rather than that a score, or say nineteen, of these would at any given provoke a dangerous storm. Already, twelve years ago moment be incapacitated by sickness and the like causes, so an important measure was enacted of this description. that the whole force available could not be reckoned at more According to the law of September 19th, 1874, the employthan 570. Then, again, a deduction of probably one-half ment of children under the age of twelve is forbidden. must be made from this number for men off duty, thus Exception, however, is made in cases of domestic service leaving not more than 285 ready to answer a summons. The and farm labour. The penalty for breaking the above law men are distributed through fifty-five stations, and if these is a fine of X2 10s. and from one to three months’ imare not to be wholly deserted a sufficient force must be left prisonment, together or separately. The new proposals behind to average at least two men to each station. This actually before the Dutch Parliament go much further than modest -provision would demand 110 men, leaving 175 at the the law of 1874, and undoubtedly the necessity of such disposal of the superintendent on duty at the fire. The legislation is becoming more and more apparent. The vast number of men actually mustered at Westbourne-grove is size of the factories, the presence of complicated, sometimes said to have been 173; so that it would seem not only that dangerous machinery, and the difficulties under such circumthe entire strength of the force was brought up for the stances of securing efficient ventilation and drainage, render emergency, but also that it was, considering the total it more and more urgent to arm the authorities with the strength of the brigade, a very strong and efficient muster. right of interference. It is also desirable that at the same But, although the men respond well to a summons and do time a competent staff of inspectors should be organised who their work in admirable style, it is painfully obvious that possess scientific and practical knowledge to detect defects, their number is much too small. A second large fire would on and whose position would place them above the danger of Saturday night have greatly overstrained their powers; and corruption. The working classes themselves must also be a third, had such a misfortune occurred, would have utterly able to assist in the detection of all defects that tend to nonplussed Captain Shaw. Such a contingency as that deteriorate public health. They, at least, have the practical ought not to be beyond the scope of our precautions. experience of the working success or otherwise of any measure introduced; and a little practice is often worth volumes of theory. In any case, and whatever may be the RABIES IN DOGS. result of the present effort, the Commission of the Dutch THE report from the Select Committee of the House of Senate are to be congratulated on the useful initiative they Lords on Rabies in Dogs was issued on the 10th inst. The have taken. committee believe that while it cannot be absolutely CHOLERA IN ITALY. demonstrated that rabies does not arise spontaneously, yet it is practically proved that subcutaneous inoculation with SINCE cholera first appeared in Calabria early in July, its virus is the only ascertained means of imparting the there has been a slow but steady extension of the disease. disease. The following are the recommendations of the Rocella was at first the principal seat of the outbreak, but committee :-(1) That when rabies is prevalent the muzzle it soon appeared that the cholera which in an early part of should be enforced; (2) that the power of the police the year had existed on the eastern coast of Sicily had broken constable should be extended to authorise the slaughter of out again, Catania having for some time past been implistray dogs; (3) that the symptoms of rabies should be en- cated. Gradually the epidemic has extended over most dorsed on dog licences; (4) that local authorities should parts of Sicily, the provinces of Calabria, Caltanicetta, Syrahave power to order that dogs should wear badges which cuse, Messina, Gergenti, and Palermo being affected. On the may identify their owners ; (5) that in populous places local mainland a number of additional towns on the Calabrian authorities should place restrictions upon dogs generally, coast, such as Palmi, Reggio, and Melita, have also been and especially deal stringently with apparently ownerless attacked. Then came news as to the extension of the -
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dogs
in their districts; (6) that in the event of its being themselves off as such on honourable practitioners, to the of and of their their This is not a injury practice patients. conclusively proved that M. Pasteur’s system provides & mere theoretical case. And we advise medical practitioners preventive remedy, facilities should be afforded for its to be particular in asking all reasonable evidence of state- application in England. In our next issue we purpose mentsmade by persons who are strangers to them. We dealing at length with the report. often receive complaints that representations made are not confirmed by actual experience. It is only fair to the general DUTCH FACTORY LEGISLATION. body of gentlemen who lay themselves out for locum tenens’ work-many of whom are highly capable men-to use THE Dutch Government, while prosecuting agitators, has precautions against those who bring discredit on a most thought fit to mitigate the cause of agitation by bringing useful class. Of course registration is only a legal form of forward laws for the protection of workpeople. Despatches qualification, and is not more important than evidence as to from the Hague announce that the Committee of the Second personal qualification, for procuring which each practitioner Chamber advise the restriction of the work of boys and girls must itely on himself. under sixteen years of age, and urge that young women under eighteen should be absolutely forbidden to work at LONDON FIRES. night or on Sundays. The work-day must be divided by THE great fire which on Saturday evening last destroyed two hours’ rest for meals, and the committee also advises a large portion of Mr. Whiteley’s premises at Westbourne- that women should not be allowed to work till a full month grove has once more directed public attention to the after their confinement. Further, there are recommendaundeniable insufficiency of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade tions dealing with the inspection of factories and workshops for the important duty which is cast upon it. It is under- by qualified officials. Laws are proposed to protect the stood that the responsible authorities feel their deficiency health and personal security of workmen, and measures for most keenly in the matter of horses; but from the figures creating a reserve fund for old age, deaths, accidents, and that have been made public it would seem that the force is illness. How far all these beneficent suggestions will meet not less under-manned than under-horsed, and that a sub- with the approval of the Legislature still remains to b& stantial addition ought to be made forthwith to Captain seen. The agitation prevailing in the country points to the Shaw’s resources both in men and material. The total force necessity of some such measures, and doubtless the statesincludes 589 men. It could hardly be too much to assume men of Holland will have the wisdom to yield rather than that a score, or say nineteen, of these would at any given provoke a dangerous storm. Already, twelve years ago moment be incapacitated by sickness and the like causes, so an important measure was enacted of this description. that the whole force available could not be reckoned at more According to the law of September 19th, 1874, the employthan 570. Then, again, a deduction of probably one-half ment of children under the age of twelve is forbidden. must be made from this number for men off duty, thus Exception, however, is made in cases of domestic service leaving not more than 285 ready to answer a summons. The and farm labour. The penalty for breaking the above law men are distributed through fifty-five stations, and if these is a fine of X2 10s. and from one to three months’ imare not to be wholly deserted a sufficient force must be left prisonment, together or separately. The new proposals behind to average at least two men to each station. This actually before the Dutch Parliament go much further than modest -provision would demand 110 men, leaving 175 at the the law of 1874, and undoubtedly the necessity of such disposal of the superintendent on duty at the fire. The legislation is becoming more and more apparent. The vast number of men actually mustered at Westbourne-grove is size of the factories, the presence of complicated, sometimes said to have been 173; so that it would seem not only that dangerous machinery, and the difficulties under such circumthe entire strength of the force was brought up for the stances of securing efficient ventilation and drainage, render emergency, but also that it was, considering the total it more and more urgent to arm the authorities with the strength of the brigade, a very strong and efficient muster. right of interference. It is also desirable that at the same But, although the men respond well to a summons and do time a competent staff of inspectors should be organised who their work in admirable style, it is painfully obvious that possess scientific and practical knowledge to detect defects, their number is much too small. A second large fire would on and whose position would place them above the danger of Saturday night have greatly overstrained their powers; and corruption. The working classes themselves must also be a third, had such a misfortune occurred, would have utterly able to assist in the detection of all defects that tend to nonplussed Captain Shaw. Such a contingency as that deteriorate public health. They, at least, have the practical ought not to be beyond the scope of our precautions. experience of the working success or otherwise of any measure introduced; and a little practice is often worth volumes of theory. In any case, and whatever may be the RABIES IN DOGS. result of the present effort, the Commission of the Dutch THE report from the Select Committee of the House of Senate are to be congratulated on the useful initiative they Lords on Rabies in Dogs was issued on the 10th inst. The have taken. committee believe that while it cannot be absolutely CHOLERA IN ITALY. demonstrated that rabies does not arise spontaneously, yet it is practically proved that subcutaneous inoculation with SINCE cholera first appeared in Calabria early in July, its virus is the only ascertained means of imparting the there has been a slow but steady extension of the disease. disease. The following are the recommendations of the Rocella was at first the principal seat of the outbreak, but committee :-(1) That when rabies is prevalent the muzzle it soon appeared that the cholera which in an early part of should be enforced; (2) that the power of the police the year had existed on the eastern coast of Sicily had broken constable should be extended to authorise the slaughter of out again, Catania having for some time past been implistray dogs; (3) that the symptoms of rabies should be en- cated. Gradually the epidemic has extended over most dorsed on dog licences; (4) that local authorities should parts of Sicily, the provinces of Calabria, Caltanicetta, Syrahave power to order that dogs should wear badges which cuse, Messina, Gergenti, and Palermo being affected. On the may identify their owners ; (5) that in populous places local mainland a number of additional towns on the Calabrian authorities should place restrictions upon dogs generally, coast, such as Palmi, Reggio, and Melita, have also been and especially deal stringently with apparently ownerless attacked. Then came news as to the extension of the -
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