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41
BATTERSEA WEST.
The year under report has been marked by the
unusual prevalence of three of the principal epidemic
diseases, viz.: Small-pox, Scarlet-fever and Measles. The
former, which first appeared in the district at the close
of 1880, continued its ravages till the latter end of 1881.
During that period 42 cases were removed to the special
hospitals, and not always without considerable difficulty
in finding accommodation, delay of some days oftentimes
occurring, and necessitating several journeys to
and from the hospital by the friends of the patient.
This, however, lasted about two months only during the
height of the epidemic, when so great a demand was
made on the space at the disposal of the Asylums Board.
I cannot help thinking it would save a vast amount of
time, if, instead of the present troublesome method of
removing a patient, it was arranged that on the occurrence
of a case the relieving officer should telegraph to
the hospital that a patient required admission, and that
then the hospital authorities should send the ambulance
direct to the patient's house for his removal. In times
when too great a demand for space is made, it would do
away with perhaps two visits daily to the hospital to
ascertain if there is room, generally by persons who have
been more or less in contact with the infected person.
Apart from which, the circumstance of waiting for a
death-vacancy becomes an unnecessary cause of repulsiveness
and depression to the feelings of a patient
requiring admission. The keeping of ambulances at
the hospitals must recommend itself as being much