PUBLIC HEALTH ACT

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 35

PUBLIC HEALTH ACT

A WARNING TO CONVALESCENTS. A young man named Henry King was charged at the Police Court on Monday with having, knowing that he was suffering from an infectious disease, wilfully exposed himself in a public place. The section of the Public Health Act under which he was charged reads: “Every person who, whilst, to' his own knowledge, suffering from an infectious disease, wilfully exposes himself in any shop, inn, public place, or public vehicle, without proper _ precaution against the spreading of the infection, is liable to a fine not exceeding £lo.”—Defendant pleaded “Guilty.” Mr Wm. C. MacGregor, K.C., who appeared for the Public Health Department, Said that the defendant resided at Caversham, with his parents, and at the beginning of August was suffering from scarlet fever. One or two other members of the family were down with it at the same time. The disease was notified, and the house isolated. No permission was given for the patients tc bo released from the house, and on August 2 it was discovered that the defendant, who was then getting better —it was a mild case, —had visited town and paid a friendly call at the office where he was employed. Fortunately, this was discovered by the public health authorities. He (counsel) was afraid that this kind of thing was very common, and it was well for it to be known that it was wrong and illegal. The spread of infection in such a disease as scarlet fever Was a serious thing, and it was whilst a patient was convalescent that the infection was most dangerous. He supposed that the young fellow in this case got tired of staying at homo and took a run into town. It was desirable that ho and others should know that such a thing should not bo done. The defendant explained that he had been anxious about certain matters connected vyith his work, which he had left in an unfinished state on becoming ill. He had also some keys belonging to the office, which ho wanted to return. Before leaving home he had taken the precaution to fumigate his throat with Jcycs fluid, and ho had rubbed his skin with an oil prescribed by the doctor, which, he had been told, would prevent anyone else outside the house catching his complaint. Ho had also disinfected his clothes with Jeyes fluid.

Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., before whom the case was brought, said that, from the young man’s statement, it could not bo said that he altogether neglected the consideration of public health. However, the Act must be strictly complied with. He was afraid it was not observed ap it should Ido, and this prosecution should servo a very necessary purpose, inasmuch as it would call attention to the provisions of the Act. The defendant would be ordered to nay costs (28s).