The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1888. The Public Health

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 34, 13 October 1888, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1888. The Public Health

As there have been rumors flying about the last few days which we have too much reason to believe are founded on fact, to tbe effect that a good deal of sickness among children has been and is prevailing in the Borough, we made enquiries yesterday of the Health Officer of the Borough as to whether any serious cases had beeu reported to him, and were somewhat astonished to find he had not received any official report from either medical men or householders. In order that the burgesses and others may know their responsibilities in cases of sickness we now quote from the Public Health Act, 1876, clause 28, and the addition made thereto by the Amendment Act of 1881 : — " When a householder knows that a person within the house occupied by him is taken sick of small-pox, cholera, or any other highly infectious disease dangerous to tho people, he shall immediately give notice thereof to the local Board (Borough Council) of the district in which he dwells. If he refuses or neglects to give such notice he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding ten pounds. It shall be the duty of the medical practioner in attendance on such case to state to the householder, as early as possible, the infectious nature of such disease, aud also to give immediate notice thereof to the Local Board of the district in which the patient resides. If he refuses or neglects to give such notice he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding ten pounds: Provided that any medical practiouer so giving notice as above required shall be entitled to receive from such Local Board the sum of two shillings and sixpence in respect of each case of which notice shall be given : Provided also that a medical practitioner shall not be entitled to payment in respect of more than three cases of the same disease, reported from the same house, during the course of a month." [Since the above was in type we are informed the necessary reports have been made. The sickness alluded to is either a mild form of icarlet fever, or roseola, a very simple complaint, but the School Committee have considered it necessary to call a meeting for this evening to consider the advisablenetis of closing the State school during the continuance of the epidemic. ~[