Heilbrigðisskýrslur - 01.12.1938, Blaðsíða 181

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the Act the sick clubs were voluntary bodies, which enjoyed certain
Privileges. These sick clubs, however, gained little popularity, and only
ítbout 5% of the population of the country had effected insurance with
thein when the Social Insurance Act was passed. Under this latter Act
there is compulsory sick insurance in all the towns for all people
hetween 16 and 67 years of age and under kr. 4.500.00 income, children
msured with their parents. In the rural communities the establishing
°f sick insurance is optional, but this autority has as yet been little
nsed. The sick insurance comprises so far up to 50% of the population.
t he costs of the accident insurance are entirely borne bjr the employers
°f the undertakings for which the insurance is compulsory, but those'
°f sick insurances up to onethird equally divided between the State
nnd the rural community (or municipality) concerned, but in other
respects (by two-thirds) by the insured themselves. By the Social
Insurance Act the foundation is also laid for general old ag'e and
disablement insurances, and a slight encouragement given for the
estahlishing of unemployed insurance.
The Act concerning public support of sick and disabled persons
provides for those who are in need of it, and in so far as sick insurances
and accident insurances do not reach them, free treatment as inpatients
in hospitals or sanatoria in cases of grave protracted diseases or dis-
ablement. In these cases four-fifths of the costs are defrayed by the
State, but one-fifth by the rural community (or municipality) con-
cerned. These provisions first of all apply to patients suffering from
tuberculosis, venereal diseases, leprosy and lunacy, secondly to mental-
ty deficient and deaf and dumb persons, but later on they are in-
tended to cover patients afflicted with any kind of grave and pro-
tracted diseases.
Act concerning Inspection of Food and other Articles of Consumption
and Necessities (1936).
Under this Act a detailed inspection is stipulated of all food,
ai'ticles for consumption and necessities, which are bought and sold
"’hether at home or abroad. A large number of regulations have al-
i'eady been issued as to the standard to he preserved with regard
to the different kinds of goods. A doctor who is a specialist in hvgiene
organises this inspection, but all investigations to be made in con-
uection with this are carried out by a public analyst.
Act concerning Birth Control and Foeticides (1935) and Sterilisation
Act (1937).
Under the former Act it is the duty of doctors, if they discover
that a woman who consults them is likely to suffer damage to her
health or endanger her life by becoming pregnant, to inform her
ubout it and advise her as to methods of contraception. It is the duty
°f doctors to advise women who consult them on the subject of con-
traceptive methods. The Act further contains provisions with regard
1° foeticides permitting doctors to carry them out on condition that
uertain definite provisions are observed (that the operation shall be
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