Heilbrigðisskýrslur - 01.12.1938, Page 180

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aid to people already infected with tuberculosis. On the whole this new
Act for the prevention of tuberculosis is so very drastic and far-
reaching, that it is doubtful if it can be paralleled elsewhere. Among
other things, mention may be made of the fact, that it is a general
civic duty to submit oneself to thorough tuberculosis examination if
there seems reason for demanding it, and cases of infectious tuber-
culosis may be put in hospital against their own will if it is necessary
in order to ensure safe isolation.
Venereal Diseases Act (amended last in 1932).
A Venereal Diseases Act was enforced in 1932 in order to secure
as thorough a supervision of patients suffering from venereal diseases
as possible, and prevention against their spreading. Emphasis is laid
on general instruction about the nature of these diseases, directions
for direct prevention against infection, and facilities for the patients
to obtain safe medical aid which is provided at the expense of the
public, including stay in hospitals when necessary. A free clinic is
maintained in Reykjavík for this pui’pose by a specialist who re-
ceives a permanent salary from the State. In other places of the
country venereal cases can get free treatment from the district physi-
cians. Iceland is a party to an international agreement (Brussels, Dec.
lst, 1924) facilitating medical treatment of venereal diseases for
sailors of the mercantile marines.
Leprosy Acts (of 1898 and 1909).
The Act of 1898 provides for medical supervision of all leprosy
patients and quarantine xneasures with regard to them, whereas the
Act of 1909 stipulates that all patients afflicted with lepra tuberosa
and lepra rnixta shall be removed to a leper hospital, the same apply-
ing' to patients with lepra anæsthetica if it is considered necessary
by a doctor.
Hydatids Acts (1890 and 1924).
AU pidxlic precautionary measures for the prevention of hydatids
are based on instructing the people about the nature of the disease,
enjoining caution in dealing with dogs, and curing dogs of tape-worms,
but above all urging that they should be prevented from getting in-
fected by taking care that they do not eat infected entrails of
slaughtered animals. The first Act concerning this was enforced in
1869 imposing a tax on pet dogs. Under the Act of 1890 the provis-
ions are made sti'icter and taxes are imposed on all dogs (annual
tax of kr. 2.00 for each working dog and kr. 10.00 for pet dogs). But
under the Act of 1924 disti'ict councils are authorised to lirnit or for-
bid entirely thc keeping of dogs in towns and villages, and this has
lxeen done for instance in Reykjavík.
Social Insurance Act (1936, amended 1937, again amended 1940) and
Act concerning Public Support for sick and disabled Persons (1936).
In 1911 an Act was passed concerning sick clubs, and in 1925 a
fairly comprehensive Accident Insurance Act was enforced. Under