262
Siem
penalty of fine and imprisonment. Other forms of the Ordinance seem to be unnecessarily suggestive of indecency, and Section 1 is likely to bring much abominable matter into the readings of the police.
Police brutality, without any corresponding benefit, is more likely to occur. I think the following alternative could be liable to none of the objections apparent on the face of the legislation proposed, and would accomplish the object of mitigating, as far as possible, the sufferings of the most wretched inmates of these dens.
And of those who, by the force of temptation, are led to frequent them. "An Ordinance to make better provision in order to endeavor to arrest the spread of certain contagious diseases, be it enacted and declared as follows:
1. Whenever any person shall have become affected with the disease mentioned in the Schedule annexed to this Ordinance, it shall be the duty of such person, and the further duty of the guardian or person having control of such person, and of the master or mistress of the house, boat, or place in which such person resides, to make immediate report of the case to the public medical officer to be from time to time appointed by the Governor for this purpose; and on receiving such report, or upon the
Page 270
Page 271