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I am indebted to Mr. Duncombe Mann, Clerk to the Metropolitan Asylums Board, for the
subjoined
Return of Hospital Accommodation.
(1) For Fever and Diphtheria, Acute Cases—
Beds.
Eastern Hospital 368
North-Eastern Hospital 678
North-Western Hospital 460
Western Hospital 452
South-Western Hospital 345
Fountain Hospital 402
Grove Hospital 518
South-eastern Hospital 488
Park Hospital 548
Brook Hospital 568
4,827
(2) For Fever and Diphtheria, Convalescent Cases—
Northern Hospital (at Winchmore Hill) 738
Gore Farm, Upper Hospital (near Dartford) 961
Gore Farm, Lower Hospital „ 850
Southern Hospital (at Carshalton) (about) 800
3,349
Total 8,176
For Smallpox Patients:—
Long Reach Hospital 300
Orchard Hospital 800
Joyce Green Hospital 940
Total 2,040
It is thus seen that the accommodation far exceeds the theoretical requirement of one bed
for each thousand of the population: on that scale London would require not more than 4,700
beds; it has more than 10,000.
Hospital provision for Measles.—A letter was received, in February, from the Battersea
Borough Council, stating-
"That in reply to a communication which they addressed to the Metropolitan Asylums Board on
the subject of the advisability of hospital accommodation being provided by the Board for cases of measles
occurring in poor and crowded homes, the Board had intimated that they could not properly consider the
matter without first obtaining an expression of opinion from the Local Government Board, as to whether
the provision of such accommodation for the isolation of measles is a duty which should be undertaken by
the Managers; stating that they had urged the Local Government Board to give an expression of
opinion as to whether accommodation for the reception and treatment of cases of measles should be provided
by the Metropolitan Asylum Board, and requesting this Council to take similar action."
I reported to the Public Health Committee as follows:—
"The Managers of the Asylums Board appear to have taken up much the same attitude with
regard to this question as with regard to the provision of sanatoria for persons suffering from consumption.
Having regard to the relative importance of the two diseases, I am of opinion that the question of
hospital provision for Measles can well be deferred until the sanatorium question shall have been satisfactorily
settled. At the same time I may point out that the Boards of Guardians are able to, and do,
admit cases of Measles to their Infirmaries, which are in all respects to be regarded as hospitals. And
as the Battersea Council desiderate the provision of accommodation for cases of Measles occurring in poor
and crowded homes, such cases would appear proper to be dealt with by the Guardians. This being so,
I am not prepared to advise the Committee to recommend the Council to take action in the matter as
requested by the Battersea Council."
The Public Health Committee decided to take no action in the matter.