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"The test of the Guardians' duty in the matter is the destitution of the
patient and this will not necessarily depend upon his being in the
actual receipt of poor relief, but may consist in his being unable
to obtain at his own cost the requisite medical attendance, nursing
and accommodation."
The latter definition appears to me to be the sensible one.
The letter goes on to say :—
"Where it devolves upon the Guardians to deal with cases of infectious
disease which require hospital accommodation, they are not restricted
to providing for the treatment of such cases in the Workhouse.
On the contrary the Board consider it very desirable that the
Guardians should arrange with the Sanitary Authority for the
reception into their hospital, where necessary, of any destitute
person suffering from infectious disease, upon such terms as may be
mutually agreed upon between the Guardians and the Authority,
and that this arrangement should include cases occurring amongst
the inmates of the Workhouse. No sanction on the part of the
Board is necessary to the agreement."
By payments under agreements since 1902 with various authorities and in
the case of Enfield since 1^94, the Guardians have admitted liability of the
cost of treating outdoor paupers suffering from certain infectious diseases, and
there is no doubt as to their liability to dealing with cases atising in their
institutions. Financially it is better that this expense should be made out of
the Poor Rate rather than out of the District Rate.
Article 14 (2) of the Edmonton and Enfield Hospital Order provides
that:—
"If the Board of Guardians of the Edmonton Union and the Joint
Board agree for the reception into the hospital of persons in the
receipt of relief from that Board of Guaidians, any such person may
be admitted into the hospital in the manner and terms prescribed
in the agreement."
Article 14 (2) of the Middlesex Smallpox Order says:—
" If the Guardians of the Edmonton Union and the Joint Board agree
for the reception into the hospital of persons suffering from smallpox
and in receipt of relief from that Board of Guardians, any such
person may be admitted into the hospital in the manner and on
such terms prescribed in the agreement,"