Welsh Journals

The evidence amassed from the enquiries into yellow fever and cholera, and from the study of ordinary epidemics such as enteric fever, typhus and scarletina showed conclusively that notwith- standing such laws as existed the nation suffered severely from the inefficiency of its safeguards for public health. The exposures attracted parliamentary attention and legislation of the highest practical importance followed. The chief measure was the great Sanitary Act of 1866, which introduced, through its provisions, a new era in the history of public health in England and Wales. Perhaps it would not be impertinent to suggest that Swansea's totally unwelcome guests in the autumn and spring, 1865-1866 played no small part in the inception of this new sanitary era. PHIL TANNER