Heilbrigðisskýrslur - 01.12.1938, Page 183

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the activities of the public health boards in all villages and other
thickly populated rural areas, which are charged with the drawing
UP of regulations for the supervision of cleanliness and other matters
otfecting' the general health in their own districts. Mention may also
he niade of the Act concerning inspection of machines, factories and
work shoj)s (1928), and an Act regarding inspection of ships (last
oniendment 1935), besides various provisions for the safety of sea-
faring men in general shipping- and other laws. By Act of 1921
(amended 1928) the sailors of Icelandic trawlers are provided with
8 hours rest every day. There is a detailed act concerning the planning
°t towns and seaside villages from 1921, and detailed plans have been
made of most towns and villages in the country in accordance with
vvhich building has been done since then. Under an act of 1929 base-
ment dwellings are prohibited in the towns and villages, but this
has not been thoroughly carried out. Another measure to encourage
improvement of the housing conditions of the people is that the
State carries on extensive activities in support of building for the
people, mostly by favourable loans, but also to a certain extent by
direct grants of money (new settleinents in rural districts). Accord-
'ng to the provisions of the Education Act there is an annual medi-
C;d examination of all school children (since 1916), but under the
fihildwelfare Act of 1932, childwelfare commiltees in all rural and
"ninicipal communities superintend the bringing up and social con-
dition of children. The Icelanders have established a very humani-
tarian legislation regarding poor relief, and every person has a right
h> claim public poor relief at his place of residence so there is no
(Iuestion of moving paupers from one parisli to another. Families
niay never be broken up because of poverty and dependence on
poor relief is not attended by loss of civil rights. The authorities
Suarantee to the mothers of illegitimate children the alimonies from
hie fathers; illegitimate children enjoy in every respect the same
rights as Jegitimate ones.
I^eath Certificates Act (1911).
fOoctors are obliged to carry out a post mortem examination and
lssue death certificates for all patients dying in all places where there
are resident doctors, i. e. in all towns and most villages. In other
Jdaces the causes of deaths are reported on by the clergymen, but in
by far the greatest number of cases they have an opportunity to
consult the doctors who attended the patients in their last illness.
hater provisions were included in the law that all patients dying in
*he larger hospitals shall be dissected in order to ascertain the cause
°f death. There are special provisions in an Act of 1913 concerning
a thorough examination of found corpses and of those who meet
'V|th death by accident. Detailed death statislics have been issued
by the Statistical Bureau of Iceland since 1911.
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