Charles Alfred Hodgetts

Hodgetts, Charles Alfred

Charles Alfred Hodgetts, physician, public-health official, teacher, administrator (b at Toronto 23 Aug 1859; d at London, Ont 3 Apr 1952). Hodgetts was medical inspector and later secretary and chief officer of the Ontario Provincial Board of Health and medical adviser 1910-20 to the federal Commission of Conservation. An advocate of PUBLIC HEALTH and dispenser of practical medicine, he emphasized prevention of disease. Public-health officials in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were investigating specific diseases and how to control them, and Hodgetts in particular perceived improved housing and town planning to be important. He considered quick treatment in the case of accident or sudden illness essential, and between 1896 and 1910 devoted much of his time to the RED CROSS SOCIETY, being commissioner overseas from 1914-18. He worked tirelessly for the St John Ambulance Association 1910-32 and was chief officer 1921-32.