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(d) Hospitals provided or subsidised by the Local Authority:
(i) Smallpox.—By arrangement with West Ham, sporadic
cases of smallpox are treated at Orsett Smallpox Hospital,
whilst in the event of an epidemic, cases would be sent
to Dagenham Smallpox Hospital, which is now used by
West Ham as a Sanatorium and which can be vacated
at short notice.
Orsett Smallpox Hospital is situated at Stifford in
the Orsett Rural District, and has accommodation
for twenty-two patients.
Before leaving this question of smallpox I cannot help
contrasting the work expended in this direction with
the services we have available for other commoner
diseases, which certainly, so far as our present circumstances
are concerned, are even more important.
It is such diseases as scarlet fever and diphtheria
which arc not only causing a drain on public resources
but are causing a considerable amount of invalidity
and permanent disability.
If a commensurate amount of time were spent on these
diseases you would require a very extended service.
(ii) The only hospital provided by the Local Authority is
that for the isolation and treatment of infectious
diseases situated in Upney Lane, where 40 beds are
available for such cases. Twelve additional beds are
available for maternity cases in a separate portion of
the hospital buildings.
(e) Ambulance Facilities:—
(i) 'A motor ambulance is provided for the removal of
infectious cases to the Isolation Hospital, Upney Lane.
(ii) For non-infectious and accident cases, two motor
ambulances are kept at the Fire Station, the ambulance
and fire services being run. in conjunction under the
Chief Fire Officer.