Page:Wrong and Right Methods of Dealing with Social Evil - Elizabeth Blackwell (1883).djvu/59

Rh the Act affords to the citizens to make a complaint to the Magistrates under the provisions of the Act, so as to suppress those places; and so far as the police, again, are concerned, they have received very strict instructions from myself, that they were to do their utmost to repress this street prostitution, and both those branches have been carried out vigorously."

Two important institutions of Glasgow must here be noted, because they have contributed largely to the very remarkable success which will now be shown to have attended the action of the Glasgow authorities. These two institutions are: 1st, the Magdalen Homes; 2d, the special hospital provision which is freely made for the sick. These institutions were created, and are maintained by private beneficence of entirely spontaneous and independent character, and they are indispensable to any wise repression of these formidable evils.

The large Magdalen Institution has long existed in Glasgow; it has homes connected with it. Into this institution any fallen woman not diseased may enter. There is a very important Committee connected with this institution, called the Repressive Committee. To the initiative of this Committee, which contained several able lawyers, much of the judicious action in Glasgow may be traced. The business of this Committee, besides the special work