Fourth report on the operation of the Contagious Diseases Acts : with comments on the report of the Royal Commission, and extracts from the published evidence : with appendix / Association for Promoting the Extension of the Contagious Diseases Acts.

  • Association for Promoting the Extension of the Contagious Diseases Acts.
Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Fourth report on the operation of the Contagious Diseases Acts : with comments on the report of the Royal Commission, and extracts from the published evidence : with appendix / Association for Promoting the Extension of the Contagious Diseases Acts. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    REPORT Introduction. Shortly after our last Report was issued, the Royal Commission “upon the administration and operation of the Contagious Diseases Acts” commenced its labours. By the courtesy of its members, we were invited to send a Representative of our Association to its meetings, and to suggest those witnesses whose evidence appeared the most valuable; the same privilege being accorded to our opponents. Through one of our body, we attended most of the meetings; and whilst referring our readers with satisfaction to the evidence adduced in favour of the Acts, we regret that lapse of time prevented other important evidence being heard which would have still further strengthened our case. The Report of the Commission was issued in July, 1871. We regard it with mingled feelings. Nothing can be more complete than the exculpation contained in it of the Police from the charges of abuse of autho- rity laid against them, which have excited so much indignation. We rejoice at the almost unanimous recommendation (four Commissioners only dissent- ing) that legislation on the subject should be con- tinued, and at the recognition of that principle of extension for which we have all along contended ; at the same time, we fear that, if the compulsory periodical examination required by the Acts of 1866-9 be discontinued, no sufficient substitute could be Exculpation of the police. Recognition of the principle of extension by the Royal Commis- sion.