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5
charitable associations, so that all these agencies can be utilised in the
service of the City. This has been especially useful in dealing with
cases of consumption, and through the St. Henry Fund (of which the
Medical Officer is ex-officio a Trustee), a considerable number of such
cases hare been sent to special homes. Unfortunately, its sphere of
usefulness is at present confined to St. Anne's Parish. For some time
the Metropolitan Asylums Board have been urged to take up this work
for London, but the magnitude of the task and the possible cost
have apparently restrained that body from a decision. It has been
calculated that consumption costs London over £4,000,000 per annum
in loss of wages, in cost to the rates through the sufferers or their
families having to be assisted by the Guardians, and in other ways,
without taking into consideration the loss these lives mean to the
country. If the Metropolitan Asylums Board decide eventually not to
take this matter up, the fact should not be lost sight of that each
Metropolitan Authority has legal power to provide a sanatorium of its
own, or to join with others for a like purpose.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
FRANCIS J. ALLAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
11th April, 1905.