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Since the Hospital was opened in December, 1901, it has been used for
smallpox at the following times (omittiing occasions on which patients were
isolated owing to errors in diagnosis) : —
From December 10th, 1901, to September 22nd, 1902
(Empty nearly five months).
February 17, 1903, to December 24th, 1903
(Empty nearly three months).
March 17th, 1904, to April 14th, 1904
Empty nearly four months).
Juiy 31st, 1904, to September 28th, 1904
(Empty seven months).
April 29th, 1905, to May 16th, 1905
(Empty nearly six months).
November 10th, 1905, to December i6th, 1905
(Empty nearly three months).
March 7th, 1906, to April 23rd, 1906
(Empty three months).
July 28th, 1906, to August 9th, 1906
(Empty nearly four years to date).
The Hospital has thus been free from smallpox for about 6 years out of the
8½ years that have elapsed since its erection.
It is also important to have some idea of the probable number of patients
in the constituent districts. I find from the death return that the total number
of deaths from phthisis for the 10 years 1900-1909 was 2,435, or an average of
234 deaths per annum. Assuming that each fatal case has an average duration
of three years from the first symptoms to fatality, there must be at least 732
patients suffering from phthisis within the area of the Joint Board. In all
probability this is an understatement, as I am of opinion that three \ears is too
short an estimate for the duration of the disease.
As far as the constituent districts are concerned, the average annual
number of deaths for the past ten years and the estimated number of sufferers
were as follows :—
Deaths. No. of Patients.
Croydon Borough 146 438
Croydon Rural (including Merton) 37 111
Penge 27 81
Wimbledon 34 102
It will thus be seen that there is ample material from which to select
patients for Hospital treatment.
It would next be necessary to arrive at some approximate principle to
guide the Board or the Constituent Authorities in selecting patients for treatment.
Practically one can divide the sufferers from pulmonary phthisis into
three great classes :—
(1) Early Cases, in which there is considerable hope of permanently
arresting the disease by open-air treatment, provided the patients can
subsequently live under hygienic qonditions. Unfortunately, it is improbable
that many early cases would seek admissi n. Among the class
that the Hospital is likely to serve the early detection of incipient
phthisis is at present impracticable.
(2) More Advanced Cases, in which six weeks or two months in
Hospital would be of great value, as it would afford an opportunity fi r
instructing the sufferers how they can avoid infecting their relations and
the publ c generally. Many of them, too, would be so improved by
Hospital treatment that their working life would be materially prolonged.