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110
The system above set forth presents a great advantage in favour
of the safety of the patient by preventing the loss of much valuable
time,—so important in tbe treatment of this fatal disease.
We suggest, therefore, that a circular be drawn up to be sent to
all registered medical practitioners residing in the district, inviting
their co-operation ; and that, further, the Local Committees should
arrange with a sufficient number, living in convenient positions in
each parish, who would be willing to hold themselves in readiness
to undertake the early treatment of persons suffering from Cholera
or Diarrhoea night and day.
We would suggest that you should consider what scale of
remuneration should be adopted.
The provision of nurses is a matter that would require some
organisation, and would present some difficulties. We are making
enquiries as to what arrangements might be made, and hope to be
in a position shortly to give you some information on the subject.
21st April, 1893.
Accordingly a circular was sent to cach medical
practitioner in the district inviting his co-operation, and
asking him if he would be willing to attend at once, night
or day, on cases of cholera or diarrhoea, should it bccome
epidemic. A large number of favourable replies were
received, so that there would have been no difficulty in
getting immediate medical treatment for any eases had
they occurred.
The next point was the provision of hospital accommodation.
On August 26th a circular was received from
the Metropolitan Asylums Board, giving particulars of
hospitals and infirmaries, at which beds were promised to
be allotted to cholera patients, and also a list of stations
where ambulance litters were provided. No institution,
however, within this district, had undertaken to provide
beds, so that the only available provision was in the
hospitals belonging to the Asylums Board, and other
institutions at some distance, such as St. Thomas's