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57
THE JOINT DEPUTATION,
the proceedings at which were briefly reported in the daily newspapers,
and fully in the British Medical Journal for May 7th,
(at page 744).
It may suffice here to say that the deputation was introduced by Mr.
G. Hastings, M.P., for East Worcestershire (the son of the Founder
of the British Medical Association), and Dr. Farquharson, M.P.,
for West Aberdeenshire, gentlemen well known for the interest they
take in Sanitary matters : and that the resolutions were spoken to
by Major General Boileau, F.R.S., for the Sanitary Authorities;
by Dr. Alfred Carpenter, J.P., for the Council of the British Medical
Association; by Dr. Bristowe, F.R.S., for the Society of Medical
Officers of Health; by Mr. Michael, Q.C., for the Social Science
Association; and by Mr. Ernest Hart for the National Health
Society.
As an expression of opinion from the official, the professional
and the general-public point of view respectively, nothing could well
have been more impressive than this deputation, or more weighty
than the statements and arguments brought under the President's
notice; and whether legislation follow this year or next, or even later,
it is difficult to imagine that it can ever be necessary to say or do
more than has now been said and done, in evidence of the bent of
public opinion on this question.
Some disappointment was felt that the reply of the President was
not more definite and satisfactory; Mr. Dodson having simply promised
to give the subject his best consideration. There was more
reason for this general reply, perhaps, than was quite apparent at
the time, Mr. Dodson seemingly being of opinion that the "notification"
would be of little use unless hospital accommodation could
be provided. The decision of the House of Lords rejecting the
Appeal of the Asylum Board, (No. 2) in the Hampstead Hospital
case was fresh in men's minds, as well as the attempts that had been
made to prevent the establishment of other hospitals to meet the
demands created by the rapid extension of the small-pox epidemic.