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59
they require medical treatment." The idea in my mind was expressed
in my Report, dated April 27th 1881, (No. 4, page 35,)
viz., that the Asylums Board should "provide huts or double marquees
which might be erected on open sites in a very brief space of
time for the reception of mild cases of modified small-pox, and for
convalescent cases."
The want of hospital accommodation for cases of small-pox was
brought under the notice of the Council of the Society of Medical
Officers of Health, on the 21st April; and the Secretary (Dr. Vinen)
on that date addressed a letter to the Managers, as follows:—
"I am desired by the Society of Medical Officers of Health to draw your
attention to the large number of cases of small-pox at present detained
in the houses of the poor in most of the Metropolitan parishes for want
of accommodation in the hospitals under the management of your Board.
Whilst a large number of convalescents and slight cases of small-pox
are retained in the hospitals, it appears to the Society of Medical Officers
of Health that room might be obtained for the reception of a considerable
number of cases now treated at home by establishing a temporary hospital
or hospitals in some open spaces in the suburbs of London, to which
slight cases and convalescents could be removed. The Society begs also
to express its opinion that in the proposed hospitals for the reception of
such cases there is no necessity for providing so large a cubic space for
each patient as is at present allowed in the existing hospitals, by which
the accommodation would be much increased."
The above letter was forwarded to the President of the Local
Government Board by the Managers, shortly after their meeting,
held on the 1st May, and no doubt had its due weight. I had
taken care moreover to state at the deputation that the views I expressed
on the hospital question, were held by the Medical Officers
of Health of the Metropolis generally.
On Saturday, May 7th, the Local Government Board addressed
a letter to the Managers of the Asylum Board impressing on them
"the necessity of endeavouring to meet the existing pressure by
acquiring some open space or spaces on which temporary buildings
may be erected for convalescent cases. The Board," the letter
continues, "do not doubt that sites of the kind indicated might be
obtained within a moderate distance of the Metropolis; and if the
buildings were sufficiently removed from any thoroughfare, and no