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for the sound, or a Hospital for the sick, excepting
at a prohibitory cost, and the problem was solved
for the time by hiring premises in Cotton
Street, Aldersgate, at a high rental, although
they never were, and never could be made,
suitable in all rcspects for the purposes required.
When this country was threatened with a
visitation of cholera about seven years ago,
application was made by the Commissioners
of Sewers to a large Metropolitan hospital
within your district * for terms upon which beds
would be reserved for City cases. The reply
was that in the event of an epidemic of cholera
a certain number of beds would be reserved for
treatment, but that they could not be allotted
for the wants of the citizens alone—in other
words, they would do their best to help, but
could not guarantee their exclusive use. Payment
for the occupation of beds was refused
by the Governors as inconsistent with their
obligations to the subscribers and the general
public.
* St. Bartholomew's Hospital.