REFORM NEEDED.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17279, 21 September 1916, Page 6

REFORM NEEDED.

The case decided in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when a charge of breach of the Public Health Act against Mr G. T. Booth was dismissed, was of such general importance that we aro rather surprised at tho Magistrate finding there was “ no case to answer.” The dismissal of tho charge we do not quarrel with, for it is hard to suppose that Mr Booth would “ knowingly ” contravene a highly important statute, and it is established that 110 acted upon medical advice, but tho evidence that his counsel was prepared to call—and for which tho public has to pay something in costs—might have been useful in more fully revealing the precise nature of the communications between the Health Department and tho members of the defendant’s household. Sufficient was, however, adduced to prove that the methods of tho Department require revision. The head of -a household containing a patient suffering from an infectious disease ought to be given possession of complete, definite instructions, which most certainly should be printed. , Indeed, copies might bo supplied, with public benefit, to all tho major mombers of tbo family and tho servants of the household, and a copy should be posted in the room or rooms supposed to bo isolated. Tho weight of medical evidence cannot be disregarded, and its direction supported the view that scarlet fever might have been* “ carried ’’ in the conditions that obtained in this particular case. The District Health Officer told the Court that “ the virus of scarlet fever was admittedly air-bome in a room, and could be carried by a third person on the ‘carrier’ principle.” Yet he gave no instructions to Mr Booth and “apparently there was nobod.v more responsible than the maid when the inspector called,” and “ she should havo passed the instructions on.” As to the theory of danger to a third person doctors differ, wo know, but in this case tho medical officer responsible to the State is of the opinion that such infection is possible. That, being so, the onus of precaution rests more heavily upon tho Department. The evidence given by officers of the Department suggests that tho Christchurch office is understaffed, for the inspection in this caso was inadequate. , Instructions were first given verbally to a maid, who “ did not seem to take tho instructions seriously*” Mr Booth was not seen personally at all, and Sirs Booth was only seen, apparently, three weeks after tho date of notification. We realise the difficulties of a small staff in coping with an epidemic such as has been prevalent here for some time past, but those difficulties would be sensibly diminished by the distribution among those concerned of a printed statement of legal responsibilities and of instructions how to

act. An official announcement in the newspapers of tho l-w- as to notification and isolation would also ho like* to assist tho Department and help to safeguard the public health. Tho District Health -Officer has now recognised tho wisdom of issuing printed instructions, so that there should in future he fewer eases of the kind under notice. Incidentally, tho arguments for an efficient State medical service are strengthened.