A DUTY NEGLECTED.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 67, 29 August 1911, Page 7

A DUTY NEGLECTED.

The spread of measles during the past few weeks has.reacbed an alarming extent, but it is really a matter for wonder that the complaint has not been even more widespread, for there is not the slightest semblance of isolation in the true sense of the word. Contacts are permitted to mix freely with other children and with adults, though an afiected-chi'd and hia brothers and sisters (if he has any) are not allowed to attend school. These precautions, though taken with the beat intentions, are farcical, as the extent of the disease proves. It may be interesting to parents to know that the law expects them to take precautions, section 25 of the Public Health Act providing that where in any house any person is found to be sick of any infectious disease, or of any sickness the symptoms of which raise a reasonable suspicion that it may be an infectious disease, then on ihe day on which the occupier of the bouse becomes aware of the disease he shall give notice thereof to the district health officer and also <0 the local authority. And if the occupier fails to give such notice he is liable to a fine not exceeding £5. The doctor who attends such patients, and the chemist who supplies drugs for the patient, are under a liability of a ten-pound tine and suspension for six months, for failure to notify the health officer. It seeme, therefore, that the requirements of the law are not being observed, which is regrettable owing to the fact that so much preventive suffering has thereby been occasioned.