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(3) Hopeless Cases in the last stages. These patients are a great menace
to their relatives, and there is reason 11 believe that much benefit would
result from their isolation in Hospital.
There would be little difficulty in filling the Hospital with patients from
the second and third classes.
Cost.—This has been carefully considered, and I will, if desired, prepare a
detailed estimate. From a comparison of the cost of the Borough Hospital,
and from figures supplied me by Dr. Reid (Staffordshire C.C.) I am of opinion
that the extra cost (over and above present expenditure) of maintaining an
average of 44 beds for phthisis patients would be about 30s. per bed 1 ccupied
per week or in round figures about £3400 per annum. To this would have
to be added some small expenditure on shelters and other small alterations
which would oe required in order to adapt the Hospital for phthisis patients.
Should the Committee consider the time opportune, I would suggest that
the Constituent Authorities should be asked whether they approve of the lioard
admitting cases of phthisis on this basis, and whether they would support the
necessary application to the Local Government Board for an Amending Order.
H. MEREDITH RICHARDS,
Medical Superintendent.
This report has been considered by the Joint Hospital Board and
Constituent Authorities, but action thereon has for the moment been
postponed.
The whole question of municipal activity in relation to phthisis
must remain in abeyance pending the passage of the National Insurance
Bill. Very considerable provision both for capital and revenue
expenditure in relation to consumption is made by this Bill, but the
full effect thereof cannot be discussed until the Bill becomes law.
VACCINATION
During the year ending December 31st, 1910, the number of
primary vaccinations in Croydon and Penge amounted to 2,436, as
compared with 4,179 registered births.
The number of infants vaccinated, therefore, amounted to 58 per
. cent, of the registered births as compared with 62 per cent, in 1909,
62 per cent, in 1908, 90 per cent, in 1907, and 82 per cent, in 1906.
The increase in the proportion of unvaccinated infants is
doubtless due to the increased facilities offered to conscientious
objectors by the last amendment of the Vaccination Acts.
MEASLES.
Measles accounted for 31 deaths, as compared with 21 in 1909.
Though measles is not notifiable in the borough, the relative number
of children attacked can be judged from the notifications received from
the elementary schools.