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proper authority to undertake the curative treatment of diseases
other than those already entrusted to them. They are a rate
supported body, and may properly undertake the care of such
pauper consumptives as are in an incurable condition; but,
rightly or wrongly, the curative treatment of disease amongst the
necessitous poor (who are not paupers) is at present carried out
in this country by the officers of charitable institutions supported
by voluntary contributions, and may well be left in their hands.
The whole matter came before the Metropolitan Asylums
Board on November 23rd, 1903, on the report of the General
Purposes Committee
Metropolitan Asylums Board.
Embankment, E.C.
4th December, 1903.
Sir,
From time to time during the last two years the Managers have
received communications from the several Metropolitan City and Borough
Councils and Hoards of Guardians in which the establishment by the Managers
of sanatoria for the treatment of consumptive patients has been strongly
advocated.
At their meeting on the 28th ultimo the Managers had before them a report
on the subject (copy of which I enclose) from the General Purposes
Committee of this Board, and as the result of their consideration of this report
and of the recommendation embodied therein, I am now directed to stale that,
in the opinion of the Managers, the question of the proposed establishment of
sanatoria for consumptive patients is one of such vital and far-reaching
importance to the community at large, and the proposal one which, if adopted
by the Managers, would entail so considerable an extension of their duties and
responsibilities, and so large an increase in their expenditure, as to call for
some authoritative expression of opinion by the Local Government Board
before the Managers are asked to take any definite action in the matter, or to
make any further inquiries in regard thereto.
I may add that the Local Government Board have been duly informed of
the decision of the Managers on this subject as above set forth.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
T. DUNCOMBE MANN,
Clerk to the Board.
To the Medical Officer of Health,
Borough of Bethnal Green..