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,£115,000 has been spent on convalescent small-pox accommodation.
It is held to be "clearly established," therefore.
" that any new acute accommodation to be provided, must be
provided on shore, and closely adjacent to the existing ships'
moorings." The land immediately adjoining, however, is
" reclaimed marsh, lying below high-water mark," and, for
various reasons assigned, unsuitable. But about half a mile
back from the river, " off the marshes, and on to a level
terrace of gravel," there is a site " which is in many respects
well adapted " for the Managers' purposes, viz., the " Marsh
Street Farm " estate, of 218 acres, which can be obtained at
a price of £15,000, or somewhat less than £69 per acre.
Heie, it " would be possible to erect a hospital, well isolated,
well sheltered by trees, and capable of being satisfactorily
drained." The Managers resolved to purchase this site, subject
to the approval of the Local Government Board, which has
been given, subject to certain conditions, which have been
accepted by the Managers, one of which involves the purchase
of a portion of an adjoining estate, known as "Joyce Green
Farm," to the extent of 125 acres and at a cost of £7,500.
On this large site of 343 acres considerable additional accommodation
will doubtless be provided.
I may here mention that with many of my colleagues,
I had the privilege, last summer, of inspecting the arrangements
made by the Asylums Board for the accommodation
of small-pox patients at the Ships and at the Gore Farm
Hospital. The cases under treatment on the occasion of
the visit, were about 500 ; viz., 200 at the ships and 300 at
the land hospitals. The Medical Officers were conveyed to
the ships in one of the Ambulance Steamers, and had the
opportunity of inspecting the two Wharves where patients
are embarked. It is almost needless to say that the arrangements
were perfect in all respects, and afforded unqualified
satisfaction to the party.