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

1885 Redistribution of Seats Act (48&49 Vict., c.23) altered the constituencies for
Parliamentary elections and introduced single membership.
Report of the Royal Commission on the Housing of the Working Classes, C.4402,
(chairman, Sir Charles Dilke), of which the Prince of Wales was a member, drew attention to
the
1885 Cont - 1887
1885 cont shortage of suitable housing for working class people and the resulting
overcrowding. This was followed by the act below.
Housing of the Working Classes Act (48&49 Vict., c.72) laid down that every local
authority entrusted with the execution of laws relating to public health must enforce them so
as to secure the proper sanitary condition of all premises within their district; and empowered
local authorities to make bylaws in respect of houses let in lodgings. See 1890.
Medical Relief Disqualification Removal Act (48&49 Vict., c.46) removed the
disqualification of any man from the franchise on the grounds of acceptance of any form of
medical relief, including the use of hospital facilities, at the expense of the poor rate. See
1889.
Criminal Law Amendment Act (48&49 Vict., c.69) raised the age of illegal sexual
intercourse with girls from 12 to 16 years.
William McEwen (1848-1924, surgeon, Glasgow) removed a glioma from the brain of
a
man aged 25 years, and so initiated brain surgery.
L Pasteur (see 1856) administered attenuated rabies vaccine.
Outbreak of milk-borne scarlet fever in Hendon, London.
Publication of "Vital Statistics" by William Farr (see 1839).
"Handbook for Mental Nurses" published by the Medico-Psychological Association.
First crematorium opened at Woking; followed by ones at Manchester in 1892 and in
Liverpool in 1896. See 1902.
KF Benz (1844-1929, German engineer) built the first car using an internal combustion
engine.
1886 Idiots Act (49&50 Vict., c.25) provided for the care, education, and training of
mentally subnormal people; and required the registration and inspection of the institutions
and hospitals concerned. See 1913.
Guardianship of Infants Act (49&50 Vict., c.27) set out conditions for appointing and
removing guardians of children. See 1891.
Shop Hours Regulation Act (49&50 Vict., c.55) attempted to regulate the hours of
work of children and young persons in shops; the hours of work were not to exceed 74 per
week, including meal times. See 1892.
Medical Act (49&50 Vict., c.48) provided that medical students must qualify in
medicine, surgery and midwifery before admission to the medical register; strengthened the
powers of the General Medical Council to ensure that registrable qualifications were of a
proper standard; introduced registration of approved diplomas in sanitary science, public
health or state medicine; and introduced some direct representation of the medical profession.
See 1950.
Contagious Diseases Acts (see 1869) repealed (49&50 Vict., c.10).
Courses in bacteriology started at King's College Hospital, London.
The Association of Medical Men possessing a Qualification in State Medicine, Public
Health and Hygiene (later, the British Institute of Public Health) founded by William R Smith