A Chronology of State Medicine, Public Health, Welfare and Related ...

spirits; limited the number of such places; limited their opening hours to between 6 am and
11 pm; limited the sale of intoxicating liquor to any person "apparently under the age of 16
years";
1872 Cont - 1874
1872 cont and prohibited gambling on licensed premises.
The London Obstetrical Society (1852) introduced examinations and a diploma for
midwives who could demonstrate a minimum standard of competence. See 1902.
The Local Government Board issued a memorandum setting out the duties of medical
officers of health.
The Board of Supervision in Scotland (1845) appointed Henry Littlejohn (1862) as its
part-time medical officer, the first medical appointment to a central body with public health
responsibilities in Scotland.
1873 Return of Owners of Land (The New Doomsday Survey) found that less than 7,000
men owned more than four fifths of the land.
Judicature Acts (36&37 Vict., c.66) established the Supreme Court and a national court
system.
Agricultural Children's Act (36&37 Vict., c.67) stated that children between the ages
of 8 and 10 years could be employed in agriculture only if the parent signed a certificate
stating that the child had completed 250 school attendances, and if the child was over ten 150
attendances in the preceding 12 months. The act lacked any means of enforcement.
Medical Amendment (University of London) Act (36&37 Vict., c.55) enabled London
University to offer registrable medical qualifications. See 1878
Report of the Select Committee on Noxious Businesses. See 1878.
Introduction of the "Hospital Sunday Collection" which was an annual collection for
hospitals held on a Sunday in June.
Birmingham appointed its first medical officer of health.
"Typhoid Fever" by William Budd (see 1867) brought together the substance of
previous papers arguing that typhoid fever was spread by contagion and supported the theory
of water-borne disease.
"Manual for Medical Officers of Health" by Ed. Smith (see 1866) published as a semiofficial
handbook, but without the consent of his superior officers..
1874 Births and Deaths Registration Act (37&38 Vict., c.88) consolidated and amended
previous acts; introduced a penalty for failure to notify; and required medical certification of
the cause of death. See 1970.
Factory Act (37&38 Vict., c.44) raised the minimum working age to nine; limited the
working day for women and young people to 10 hours in the textile industry, to be between 6
am and 6 pm; and reduced the working week to 56½ hours. See 1878.
Alkali Act (1863) Amendment Act (37&38 Vict., c.43) set a volumetric standard of
permitted pollution from hydrochloric acid; and extended inspections. See 1881.
Public Health Act (37&38 Vict., c.89) declared that rural sanitary district authorities
were the same bodies as the boards of guardians of unions or parishes within which such
authorities acted; increased the powers of enforcement of the Local Government Board
particularly in respect of water supplies; and brought infected milk within the category of
"nuisance". See 1875.
Endowed Schools Act (37&38 Vict., c.87) transferred schools vested in the Endowed
Schools Commission to the Charity Commission.