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53
" The site and buildings have been inspected by a representative of the Council, who reports
favourably on their suitability for the purpose.
" In regard to this matter I am directed by my Council to say that they feel, very strongly,
the accommodation for advanced consumptives among the working classes and poor of London
is entirely inadequate; and they beg to invite your attention to a resolution passed at a Conference
of the various Boards of Guardians and Poor Law Authorities in the Metropolis, held
at St. Martin's Town Hall, on October 15th, 1900, viz.: —
" ' That this Conference of Poor Law Authorities, having discussed the question of the
open-air treatment of consumption, is of opinion that the time has come when provision
should be made for the treatment, by this method, of the sick poor of the
Metropolis suffering from phthisis, and it recommends the matter for the consideration
of the Local Government Board with a view to the necessary steps being taken
by that Board for the carrying out of the proposal.'
" Under these circumstances, my Council naturally feel that a great purpose would be
served if the hospitals at Gore Farm could be utilised for the accommodation of cases of
advanced consumption.
" While my Council recognise that the Metropolitan Asylums Board are obviously in the
best position to determine whether or not these hospitals may be available for such a purpose,
they would respectfully point out that the evidence on the subject of small-pox and infectious
diseases generally leads them to hope that this may be the case.
" It appears improbable that the Gore Farm Hospitals will be wanted for small-pox in
the near future, if ever again; and at no distant time an additional hospital for convalescent
fever patients will be provided at Carshalton.
" The Council understand that the proposal cannot be carried into effect without legislation,
but, believing that it would be for the public interest were the suggestion adopted, they
hope that the President, as a preliminary measure, may be pleased to take the steps necessary
to obtain an Act to enable the Board, when they shall see fit, to make an order authorising the
Managers of the Metropolitan Asylum District to undertake the care and treatment at their
hospitals of persons suffering from consumption.
" The need for more accommodation for advanced consumptives, who at present remain in
their homes and infect others, is a pressing one.
" The enclosed pamphlet on ' Homes for Advanced Consumptives," just issued by the
Association, will, I venture to think, be of some interest to you, as bearing on the whole
question."
Many of the Public Health Authorities (and some Boards of Guardians) expressed their
concurrence with the views of the Council, having addressed communications to the Local
Government Board and the Metropolitan Asylums Board in support thereof. Only three expressed
dissent: others offered no opinion on the subject.
In July, 1902, the Managers referred the Bermondsey and other letters from Sanitary
Authorities to the General Purposes Committee, who, on November 24th, reported thereon as
follows:—
" We have given due considerati on to the whole question, but having regard to the
important issues involved, and to the fact that there is not yet a general consensus of
opinion amongst the Metropolitan authorities in favour of the Metropolitan Asylums Board
undertaking the treatment of consumptive patients, we have deferred consideration of the
matter for twelve months."
The report, submitted to the Managers at their meeting held on the 29th November, was
adopted, apparently, without discussion.
It is almost unnecessary to say that the communications dealt with by the Committee contemplated
the erection of specially constructed sanatoria, a course which would involve a very large
expenditure: whereas the course approved by the Council would have entailed a comparatively
moderate outlay by the way of adaptation of the sick wards, etc., at existing hospitals.
The Council's letter, of December 4th, was considered by the Managers on the 13th December,
in connection with a motion of which notice had been given, to the effect—
" That the Hospitals Committee be instructed to consider and report to the Board as to
whether any, and, if so, what, arrangements can be made for the treatment of consumptive
persons in any of the establishments under their control.'