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"'time has come when provision should be made for the treatment by this
"'method of the Sick Poor of the Metropolis suffering from Phthisis, and
"'it recommends the matter for the consideration of the Local Government
"'Board with a view to the necessary steps being taken by the Board for the
"'carrying out of the proposal.'
"The matter then resolves itself into a question of public health, on which
"the Corporation is now asked to give an opinion. From the public health point of
"view it seems absolutely essential that some reasonable precautions should be
"taken, and that the Metropolitan Asylums Board should be called upon to make
"the same."
The Corporation having concurred in these views, the Metropolitan
Asylums Board were in due course informed "that the Corporation is of
"opinion that the provision of a Sanatorium for Consumptives is absolutely
"essential as a reasonable precaution to public health, and that the Metro"politan
Asylums Board is the proper authority for dealing with it."
At a Meeting held on the 17th February, 1906, the General Purposes Committee
of the Metropolitan Asylums Board submitted a report stating that with
the object of ascertaining in the first instance the views of the Local Government
Board, administrative bodies of Borough Councils, Boards of Guardians,
and Hospitals for Consumption upon the subject, the Committee gave directions
that the Boards of Guardians should also be asked what steps, if any, they
had taken to deal with tuberculous cases in their infirmaries, and also with
what result. The Local Government Board replied, under date 27th June,
1905, to the effect that they were then "obtaining information on the whole
"subject." They were not "in a position to express an opinion on the
"question as to whether the Managers should undertake the new duties
"suggested." Of the 65 other authorities consulted, 19 were wholly favourable
to the prayer of the memorial, 9 were favourable if the cost were made a
national charge, 14 were unfavourable, and the replies of the remaining 23
were indefinite.
In the absence of any authoritative expression of opinion by the Local
Government Board, and as a result of its consideration of the question in all
its bearings, the Committee recommended, and the Board of Managers adopted
the following:—
"(1) That the Managers do forward to the Local Government Board a copy of
"the memorials addressed to the Managers (a) by the Metropolitan Branch of the
"Incorporated Society of Medical Officers of Health on the 15th April, 1905; and
"(b) by Sir William Broadbent, Bart., K.C.V.O., M.D., F.R.S., on the 4th
"November last on the subject of the provision of hospital accommodation for the
"treatment and isolation of patients suffering from Pulmonary Phthisis.
"(2) That the Local Government Board be further informed that, having regard
"to the uncertainty which prevails as to the probable number of patients who would
"come under the schemes referred to in the memorials, and to the great prospective
"cost to the ratepayers of the metropolis, the Managers will be glad to receive the
"judgment of the Local Government Board upon the prayer of the memorials
"referred to."