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SANATORIA FOR PERSONS SUFFERING FROM
CONSUMPTION.
In October, 1900, at a Conference of Metropolitan Poor Law
Authorities held to consider the question of "Open-air treatment of
Phthisis," at which 26 out of the 32 Boards of Guardians were
represented by 77 delegates, it was unanimously resolved —
"That the time had come when provision should be made for the
treatment by this method of the sick poor of the metropolis," and it
was decided to " bring the matter to the consideration of the Local
Government Board with the view to the necessary steps being taken
by that Board for the carrying out of the proposal."
A deputation was appointed to wait npon the President to present
the resolution, it being understood that the Asylums Board
would be designated as the proper body to act as Hospital Authority.
A communication was sent to the Board in due course, but beyond
stating that the matter would receive attention, together with
applications of a similar nature which had been received from other
public bodies, the Board took no action.
In the early part of 1902 many Public Health and Poor Law
Authorities, in communications to the Asylums Board, signified their
desire that the Board should provide accommodation for the isolation
and treatment of persons suffering from consumption.
The several communications were referred to the General Purposes
Committee in July, and on 29th November the Committee
presented a report on the subject, as follows: —
"We have given due consideration 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 was adopted.
The action of the Borough Council. — This question had been dealt
with in my eleventh report (November 6th), wherein a recommendation
was made that some of the disused small-pox hospitals should be
utilised as Sanatoria for Consumption. The epidemic was at an end,
and for much of the hospital accommodation, so lavishly provided for
sufferers from small-pox, there was no longer any need.
The Council referred my report to the Public Health Committee,
and on December 4th it was sent, with letters commendatory, to the
Local Government Board and the Metropolitan Asylums Board.