498 The Public Health. [ Oct., 
previous sanction of the Secretary of State, to fix the number of 
persons “ who may occupy a house or part of a house which is let 
in lodgings.” ‘To register houses thus let; to inspect them and 
enforce cleanliness; to enforce “the Provision of necessary accom- 
modation in proportion to the number of lodgings and occupiers ; 
the cleansing and ventilation of common passages and staircases ;” 
“the cleansing and lime whiting at stated times of such premises.” 
Where two convictions have taken place for breaches of the Act, 
within three months, the authorities may permanently close the 
unhealthy house. 
The Act provides for the disinfection of carriages in which 
infected patients have been conveyed; and (by heavy penalties) 
against the exposure of themselves, by persons suffermg from 
infectious diseases,* or of infected clothing, bedding, &. &e. 
It contains provisions to prevent the letting of a house or any 
portion of it, in which a dangerous infectious disorder has been, 
without its having been previously disinfected to the satisfaction of 
a qualified medical man ; and, “ for the purposes of this section, the 
keeper of an inn shall be deemed to let part of a house to any 
person admitted as guest at such inn.” The penalty in this case is 
202. In cases of divided authority, (as at Bristol, Leeds, &e.), the 
Privy Council may cause the Boards to act together, and may pre- 
scribe the mode of such joint action. The Act also provides sum- 
mary and effective means for enforcing the periodical removal of 
manure and refuse matter from stables, mews, &c., upon a public 
notice being given; the penalty being twenty shillings per day, for 
every day the accumulation is allowed to remain beyond the specified 
time. 
And finally, it contains stringent provisions for compelling the 
authorities themselves to perform their duty. Where a complaint 
is made to the Secretary of State, that any authorities have 
neglected their duty, either in regard to sewerage, water-supply, or 
removal of nuisances, he is empowered, “if satisfied after due in- 
quiry made by him that the authority has been guilty of the alleged 
default,” to make an order limiting a time for the performance of 
its duty in the matter of such complaint; and if they still-fail to 
perform their duty, he may appoimt some one to do it for them, 
and make them pay the expenses thus incurréd, “ together with the 
costs of the proceedings.” 
Having thus summarised the contents of the Act which affects 
the houses, habits, health, and comforts of almost every family in 
England, we would in conclusion say a word to our readers in 
regard to its application. 
It is perfectly obvious that its usefulness will depend largely 
* A shocking case of this kind is mentioned in our article on the “ Predisposing 
Causes of Pestilence :’ ‘Journal of Science, July, 1865, p. 388. 
