notifiable disease as sufficient provision for that purpose
is made by the powers conferred on the Governor in Council by section 8(2)(b) of the Public Health (Quarantine and
Prevention of Disease) Ordinance No.12 of 1935 which is to
be brought into force shortly by Proclamation. Under section
2 of that Ordinance leprosy in included in the definition
of "disease".
6. Section 4 deals with inquiries into cases of alleged
leprosy.
7. Section 5 deals with segregation in cases where the
Director of Medical and Sanitary Services deems it necessary.
It is now realised that segregation is not essential in all
cases of leprosy which by modern methods of treatment may
be cured at an early stage and mitigated at all stages.
8. Section 6 provides that when lepers are detained in
the settlements they shall not leave without the written
permission of the officer in charge.
9. Section 7 controls alien leper immigration.
10.
Section 8 deals with the appointment of Justices of
the Peace as visitors of leper settlements.
11. A Table of Correspondence between the new and the
repealed Ordinance is attached.
12.
Viewed generally the new Ordinance gets away from the
idea that a leper settlement or asylum is to be regarded as
a prison and regards it instead as a centre for treatment
and as a retreat for severe cases or those who are deserted
by their relatives. Magisterial powers are not given to the
persons in charge of the settlements as it is considered
safe for leper offenders to be brought before ordinary tri-
bunals. Should it be found necessary, in any particular
case where isolation is necessary, to impose a term of im-
prisonment arrangements can now be made for such isolation
in prison.
13.
I am of opinion that this Ordinance is one which is
not contrary to the Governor's instructions and that it is
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