On the working of the sanitary laws in Dublin, with suggestions for their amendment

Abstract

The state of the laws relative to the Public Health in Ireland was, previous to the year 1866, extremely unsatisfactory. The attention of the Town-Council of Dublin having been directed to the matter by a report of Edward D. Mapother, Esq., M.D., their officer of health, that body addressed a memorial, in the year 1865, to the Irish executive, stating the pressing necessity for immediate legislation; and their representations being confirmed by those of other Local authorities, and by the Poor Law Commissioners, Her Majesty's Government introduced the measure?embodying the English Sanitary Statutes up to 1855?known as ?The Sanitary Act, I866?. From that date the history and operation of effective sanitary legislation in Ireland practically commenced. That measure was, undoubtedly, a great step in advance, yet the period of the session when, and the circumstances under which, it was introduced, necessarily, prevented its being more carefully considered, while its framework rendered it especially complex and difficult in working.