The laws relating to public health, sanitary--medical--protective : including the legislation to the end of the last session of Parliament ...

Front matter

JO

Maclachlan's Law of Merchant Shipping.

A Treatise on the Law of Merchant Shipping; with Supplement. By David Maclachlan, M.A., of the Middle Temple, Barrister- at-Law. In 1 vol. Royal 8vo. Price IL ] 6s. cloth. 1862.

Introduction

the delusions concerning witchcraft, altogether absent even yet in the most enlightened country in Europe.

The lengthened wars during the past century, carried on as they were often in warm and unhealthy climates, {e.g., the disastrous Walcheren expedition,) afforded many opportunities for observation, which were not lost by the best educated men on the medical staff of the British army. Some of these, among whom Sir John Pringle and Lind are perhaps worthy the most distinguished place, published the results of their experience for the benefit of the world. They, however, failed to make any great impression on the public mind. Absurd and wicked Quarantine Laws (laws which, to the disgrace of our country, be it said, are still in existence) continued to be enforced with all the rigour of ignorance, superstition and their concomitant cruelty : and it was not until 1825 that the writings of Dr. Southwood Smith, ringing with vigorous logic and enlightened philanthropy, first began to awaken the national sense to the fact that filth and fever are intimate associates ; that preventive medicine is of more importance than curative medicine ; and that the bugbear of contagion, the great enemy which, by inducing isolation and the neglect of all prophylactic means, has heretofore slain its thousands from our fleets, our armies, and our civil population, should lie for ever buried by the side of witchcraft and her kindred superstitions. The Eeports of the first General Board of Health on Quarantine, drawn up by him, will long be referred to as the standard works on that subject, particularly the second report (with appendices) on yellow fever and plague. Hence Southwood Smith has been fairly designated the Father of Sanitary Reform. His efforts were well seconded by his colleague, Edwin Chadwick.

INTRODUCTION. vii

In 1848 an Act of Parliament, entitled tlie Public Health Act, was obtained, under wliich Boards of Health liave been established in numerous towns of England, for the execution of works of general sanitary improvement. The effects even abeady produced by such measures, in increasing the value or expectation of life in those towns to which they have been applied, have been ably set forth from time to time by Dr. Farr, in the Keports of the

Registrar General.

The Nuisances Acts, Common Lodging Houses Acts, Smoke Consumption Acts, Local Government and Local Management Acts, &c., &c., followed the Public Health Act in quick succession.

The powers conferred by these several statutes are embodied in the following pages ; a classified digest of the enactments being followed by an appendix containing a chronological arrangement of the principal statutes, in the order and words in which they were passed. The numerous penalties incurred by their violation or neglect render it a matter of great importance that these provisions should be widely known. All Acts bearing on Health, e.g.^ Burials, Lunacy, Medical, Factory, &c., are also noticed ; and such forms, practical instructions, and cases appended, as will, it is hoped, with the notes and index, render the subjects treated, of easy application ; and prove useful to corporations, guardians, and ratepayers, as well as to the medical profession and the public at large.

C, King's Bench Walk, Temple, January, 1865.

I

Contents

LAWS EELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH (p. 19).

I. Page

SANITARY WORKS ... 19

I. APPLICATION OF POWEES 19

1. Public Health akd Local GovER]sitfEN"T Acts . 19

2. Ntjisaj^ces Eemoval ajshd Diseases Prevention

Acts 24

II. CONSTITUTION OF LOCAL AUTHOEITIES . . 24

3. Diseases Prevention Acts 29

III. MAIN SEWEEAGE 30

IV. HOUSE DEAINAGB 39

V. WATEE SUPPLY 42

4. Public Health Act (s. 50) 46

5. Metropolis Water Act . . . . .

X

CONTENTS.

SANITAEY YiOBK^— continued,

VI. BATHS AND WASHHOUSES . . . . . 48

1. Public Health Am) Local Goveenment Acts . 48

2. Baths akd Washhotjses Acts . . . .49

YII. EEMOVAL OF NUISANCES 51

1. Public Health Am) Local Governi^ent Acts . 51

Vni. OFFENSIVE TEADES 58

4. Smoke Nuisance Acts 61

5. Alkali Works Act 62

IX. PEEYENTION OF SMOKE 62

2. Smoke Nuisance Acts 63

X. PUBLIC CONVENIENCES 65

XI. PUBLIC PLEASUEE GEOUNDS 65

2. Eecreation Grounds Acts 66

3. Public Improvements Act 67

XII. MANAGEMENT OF STEEETS AND EOADS . . 68

CONTENTS. J^i SANITARY WO'BKS—co7iUm(£d.

PAGE

Xm. REGULATION OF BUILDINGS . . . . 76

1. Public Health Am) Local Goveenment Acts . 76

XIY. CELLAE DWELLINGS 81

XV. COMMON LODGING HOUSES 82

3. Common Lodging Houses Act 83

5. Labourers' Dwellings Act 86

XVI. BUEIAL GEOUNDS . . . . . . .87

2. Burial Acts 89

3. Diseases Prevention Act . . , . .112

XVn. PEOCEEDINGS OF' LOCAL AUTHOEITIES . . 113

1. Local Boards of Health . . . . .113

2. Nuisances Eemoval Committees . . . . 127

3. Metropolis Management Boards . . .128

XVm. SUEVEYOE 131

XIX. INSPECTOE OF NUISANCES 132

1. Puiblic Health and Local Government Acts . 132

2. Nuisances Eemoval and Diseases Prevention

4. Bakehouses Act 133

CONTENTS.

II. Page

BODILY CARE . . .134

I. HEALTH IN THE FACTOEY 134

1. Eactories m General 134

2. Lace Eactories 138

3. Bleaching and Dyeing Works . . . .139

4. Public Health and liOCAL Government Acts . 140

II. SAFETY IN THE MINE ...... 140

1. Inspection op Collieries, &c 140

III. EEGULATION OF BAKEHOUSES . . . . 144

1. The Bakehouses Act 144

lY. PEOTECTION FEOM EXPLOSION AND FIEE . 145

1. Accidents from Gunpowder 145

2. Storage of Petroleum 151

3. Protection of Chimney Sweepers . . . .152

4. Safety from Fire 153