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at the London Fever Hospital, or at the London Small-Pox Hospital
(which are not pauper establishments), viz., two guineas and four
guineas, respectively, per case, irrespective of the duration of the
patient's illness.
I never felt very sanguine that the Section would effect the object
in view, and hitherto it has remained, practically, a dead letter.
Towards the close of the year, however, the Managers ccnsulted the
Local Government Board, on the desirability of their taking steps to
ascertain the feeling of the Vestries, &c., on the "new and important "
provision of law referred to; the Board, in reply, expressing the
opinion that "most, if not all of the Vestries, &c., would readily enter
into agreements, which would have the effect of releasing them from
the heavy responsibilities under which they lie, in respect of hospital
accommodation for the non-pauper classes." "It is very probable," •
the Board said, "that it may not be found necessary to greatly
increase the accommodation already at the disposal of the Managers,
who as is well known, have been by force of circumstances obliged,
during the last two epidemics, to admit many patients for whose
treatment, the Vestries, &c., would have been liable had the Sanitary
Acts in that behalf been strictly observed, and had there been no
substitute ready to hand in the hospitals, provided under the Metropolitan
Poor Act. It will obviously require great care," the Board
continued," to frame regulations which shall draw the needful line of
distinction between pauper and non-pauper patients, and place the
incidence of charge, and the administration generally, on a more
satisfactory footing in future." The Board concluded by offering to
"render the Managers any assistance or advice in their power in
framing any such regulations or agreements."
Shortly afterwards the Managers addressed a circular letter to the
Vestries, &c., asking to be informed whether they desired to avail
themselves of the provisions of the clause in question, and, if so, what
would be the approximate number of beds, they severally would
wish to be provided for them? The Managers subsequently
published a "Synopsis of replies," received from thirty-six Vestries,
and District Boards of Works, which may be thus summarised. About
sixteen vestries ask for further information on various points; two
refuse to adopt the Act; two will take no action at the present time;
two have made arrangements elsewhere: one defers the