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20
My object in thus bringing specially before you the streets where
these diseases occurred is to show the sporadic nature of the affecftions,
and that being pretty evenly scattered throughout the District, no
one part of it can be fairly accused of having been a source of
danger to its neighbours. I may mention that during the last three
months 2633 cases of small-pox were admitted into Asylums
Hospitals and into the Highgate Hospital ; 527 cases of scarlet-fever
and 169 cases of enteric-fever were also received into Asylums
Hospitals, so that Whitechapel may be congratulated upon having
contributed so few cases of these diseases. I cannot speak too
highly of the manner in which all the arrangements for the removal
of patients have been carried out by the Metropolitan Asylums Board
Managers. Coming upon them so suddenly, the severe epidemic of
small-pox must have cause'd them immense anxiety, and have taxed
their resources to the utmost. Yet, with now and again, a little
unavoidable delay, the exigences of the cases seem to have been
admirably met. In the summer I went to the Darenth Camp, and
was courteously allowed by the Assistant Medical Officer to view each
tent and to examine into all the arrangements for the treatment of
the patients, and the various administrative departments were also
exhibited to me. It is only just on my part to record the that that in
my opinion every care and attention seemed to be forthcoming that
could increase the comfort of the patients and lessen that inconvenience
which must attend compulsory residence in such an Institution.
Communications have emanated from the Asylums Board
Managers upon this subject with a view to an arrangement for
payment in such cases being entered into by the
various Sanitary Authorities. The matter (so far as
our District is concerned) is already so well provided
for that I do not think any reason exists for alteration.
Should a case of infectious disease arise, either it can
be readily removed through the machinery of the
Board of Guardians, or by direct communication
from the Medical Attendant to the Asylums Board
Secretary, who will send an ambulance for the
removal of the patient. In either case the Guardians are credited
by the Asylums Board with the cost of removal and maintenance,
and this cost is recovered from the patients if they are in a position
to pay. I am afraid matters would be complicated by any other
Hospital
Treatment
of
Non-Pauper
Cases of
Infectious
Disease.