18 COMPULSORY REGISTRATION. 



and the opening up of thoroughfares through dense and insani- 

 tary neighbourhoods. Thanks to the efforts of our late Lord 

 Provost Chambers, a good beginning has been made in this direc- 

 tion in this city. 



Fourthly, It will be found utterly impossible to prevent infec- 

 tious diseases without a more stringent act in regard to their 

 registration. Nothing short of the compulsory registration of these 

 diseases will effect this end. To prevent their spread it is essential 

 that the authorities should be early apprised of the existence of 

 every case. 



Fifthly, Following from this the authorities should be entrusted 

 with the discretionary power of compulsory removal. This power 

 will never be abused ; and, 



Sixthly, Such powers imply, and, indeed, necessitate, on their 

 part, the providing of ample accommodation for the reception of 

 infectious diseases, as will suffice to meet the emergencies of 

 epidemics ; for the reception of actual cases, convalescent cases, 

 suspected cases ; and further, for the reception of patients who 

 may voluntarily desire to be treated in hospital. There are many 

 such, who, though comfortably circumstanced in their own homes, 

 would gladly avail themselves of this provision. It may interest 

 you to know that the late Sir James Simpson expressed his deter- 

 mination to be treated in hospital in the event of his suffering 

 from an infectious illness. All such arrangements would require 

 to be carried out in a liberal interpretation of the acts. For 

 example, the greatest difficulty is experienced in the removal of 

 children, from the unwillingness a natural one of mothers to 

 be parted from them during their illness. 



Mothers, under certain restrictions, should be admitted to the 

 hospital to nurse their own children. 



It is proposed to acquire the ground and buildings of the old 

 Royal Infirmary as a hospital of this kind, under the entire con- 

 trol of the civic authorities. This is a step in the right direction. 



We enjoy the services of an able and energetic medical officer, 

 whose heart is in his work but. without such powers and provi- 



