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4
engaged. The effect of this was as surmised, for
although the daily average number of patients was
greater than ever previously, this hospital alone
proved adequate, and that without incurring the
expense of opening the hospital at Kingsbury.
The saving thus effected, in some measure
counterbalanced the extra outlay in respect to the
increase in staff.
Owing to the great pressure of patients in the
wards throughout the year, it was impossible to close
any of them temporarily for cleaning purposes, as has
hitherto been the custom. This was much to be
re arretted, for there can be no doubt but that wards such
O i
as these, when constantly in use, accumulate infection
to such a degree that a periodic disinfection is
absolutely essential. I have drawn the attention of
the Hospital Committee to this matter, and have
pointed out to them that failing a diminution in the
daily number of cases under treatment during the
current year so as to admit of the emptying of at least
one ward at a time for disinfection purposes, there
will be no alternative but to open Kingsbury Hospital
temporarily for the reception of such patients as will
be displaced during the cleansing of the wards they
would occupy here.