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single case of small pox in Finehley. The staff, who were all
re-vaccinated before entering on their duties, escaped without
exception, while a number of workpeople, who were
engaged in erecting the kitchen in close proximity to the
touts, after the latter were occupied by patients, also escaped ;
a result doubtless due to the fact that the opportunity for
re-vaccination was freely offered to and accepted by them.
I have every reason to be satisfied with the results obtained
by treating cases of small pox under canvas during the
months the hospital was occupied. As many as 134 patients
were treated in it with a mortality of but nine ; many of the
cases were very severe, and it is worthy of especial notice that
not a single case of erysipelas occurred while pulmonary
complications were infrequent.
The hospital has been of very material use to the parish,
and is ready at any moment it may be required. It would
be a matter for regret if any step were taken to remove it
until there is a thorough solution of the difficulties which
now surround the whole question of hospital accommodation
for infectious diseases in the metropolis, or until the ground
is required for its original purpose as a cemetery. The
institution has already cost the parish a large sum of money,
for though the hospital itself and its furniture were of the
simplest and most inexpensive character, much money was
necessarily expended in the preparation of the site, and in
the layiug on of a water supply from the distance. Seeing
that the hospital is absolutely doing no injury to the surrounding
neighbourhood, that the land is not yet required for
burial purposes, and that the cost of its maintenance in its
present condition is but trifling, it would be a misfortue if
any step were taken which might in the future impose upon
the Vestry the necessity of incurring a further expenditure
should another outbreak of disease take place.
How soon the Vestry will be relieved of the difficult position
in which it is now placed as a hospital providing authority, it
is not possible at the present moment to state. It will be
recollected that at the end of last year a Koyal Commission
was appointed to collect evidence, and to report upon the
following points :—
1. The nature, extent, and sufficiency of the hospital
accommodation for small pox and fever patients provided by
the Managers of the Metropolitan Asylum Board, and the
several Vestries and District Boards in the Metropolis, including
the Commissioners of Sewers for the City of London.
2. The relative advantages and disadvantages to patients