The first step in such a comprehensive attack is precise knowledge of
the extent and source of origin of the particular forms of industrial
poisoning and disease and the collection of reliable statistics. This
suggested the obligation to notify such cases to the proper authorities
in the same way as is now done in the case of infectious disease. A
motion to this effect had already been passed at the Conference of the
International Association for Labour Legislation held in Basle, and a
request was made to the Labour Bureau to prepare a list of the diseases
and poisonings in question. To them we shall refer later, but a schedule
is necessary as a basis to work upon. Yet even when this is done there
are obviously great difficulties to be overcome in carrying out the
requirement of notification when the aim is kept in mind of collecting
complete statistical data for controlling the conditions giving rise
to industrial disease. The proposal of the International Association
seeks to make notification obligatory on the part both of the medical
practitioner in attendance and the occupier, and in connection with
this to secure the co-operation of the Sick Insurance Society.[D] The
proposal to require the appointed surgeons and surgeons of the Insurance
Society to notify all cases is hardly feasible in view of their dependent
position. Nor can the obligation on the occupiers lead to the desired
result because of their lack of medical knowledge and the fact that
by notifying they might be forced to act to their own disadvantage. A
successful effort in this direction is recorded in Saxony, where lead
poisoning was first made a notifiable disease, and later the general duty
of notification of industrial poisoning was prescribed by Order dated
March 4, 1901.
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