Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire and report whether the folowing diseases can properly be added to those enumerated in the third schedule of the Workmen's Compensation Act 1906 : namely (1) cowpox, (2) Dupruyten's Contraction, (3) clonic spasm of the eyelids, apart from nystagmus, (4) writer's cramp.

  • Great Britain. Home Office. Committee on Compensation for Industrial Diseases.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire and report whether the folowing diseases can properly be added to those enumerated in the third schedule of the Workmen's Compensation Act 1906 : namely (1) cowpox, (2) Dupruyten's Contraction, (3) clonic spasm of the eyelids, apart from nystagmus, (4) writer's cramp. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    typewriting machine or with the left hand, .or by an entire change in employment. use of the left may develop it there. Incapacity for writing may therefore be, eventually, complete and permanent, and when, as we have said is often the case, Writers’ cramp disables only for writing, not for any other occupation, and, though we think sufferers should receive compensation so that, in some cases, rest may there is hope of recovery or whether it is advisable to take up some fresh occupation. rest, and we have considered whether we might recommend that the course adopted in the case of glassworkers’ cataract (see the Secretary of State’s Order of 2nd December 1908) should be followed and compensation be limited to a period of six months in all. On the whole we think a longer period advisable and we recommend that it should be 12 months. Further, it is necessary to safeguard employers against claims by persons who have contracted or accentuated the disease through occupying is due to the employment should, therefore, be on the person claiming compensation. We recommend, then, that the disease be scheduled as “‘ Writers’ Cramp” ; that the onus of proving that the disease is due to the employment be left on the person claiming compensation, and that compensation for a single disablement shall not be payable.in respect of more than 12 months’ incapacity in all. : SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS. Our recommendations are that :— (1) Cowpox and Dupuytren’s Contraction should not be scheduled. | (2) The word ‘“‘ Nystagmus’’ added to the first column of the Schedule by the “ of which oscillation of the eyeballs is the commonest but not invariably ‘““ present objective sign).” The word “mining” should be retained in the second column. | (3) The words “ Writers’ Cramp ’’ should be added to the first column of the months’ incapacity in all. courtesy with which he has discharged them have greatly facilitated our inquiry. We have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servants, ELLIS J. GRIFFITH. T. CLIFFORD ALLBUTT. ALFRED HENRY .RUEGG. THOMAS M. LEGGE. ArtHur JLockg, | 21st July 19: 3, h
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