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51
memoranda, dealing (1) with the subjects embraced in the several
paragraphs of the Reference, and (2) with the question generally.
I gave evidence on two occasions, having been before the Commission
during one entire sitting and the greater part of another.
This evidence will in due course appear in the Appendix to
the Report of the Commission. As the proof of the evidence
submitted to me for correction was marked "strictly confidential,"
I make no reference to it here. I may add that in addition to
oral evidence, I prepared for the Commission certain returns
and memoranda which will also appear in the Appendix to their
report, and to which, therefore, I do not propose now to make
further reference. The subjoined memoranda will not appear in
the Blue Book, and I have thought it my duty to place them here
that your Vestry may be in full possession of my views on this
important question. In the following "abstract of evidence,"
the figures indicate the paragraph of the Reference to the
Commission under consideration (vide page 48).
Abstract of Evidence..
1. (a) As regards the "nature" of the hospitals?—
Speaking from a knowledge of "Fulham Hospital," and assuming
that it is not possible to enlarge the site, I am of opinion that a
better plan would be to have a hospital with fewer pavilions,
consisting of two or three stories each, so as to interpose a greater
distance between the pavilions and the boundaries of the site, for
isolation.
(6) The "extent" of small-pox hospital accommodation now existing
would be adequate if provision were made for removing out of
London suitable cases of modified small-pox and convalescent
cases.
(c) "Sufficiency" for the needs of the Metropolis, however, would be
better secured by the provision of some additional hospitals on
suitable sites, so that the severely sick should not have to travel
so far as now they have, from some of the quarters of London
most distant from the existing hospitals.
2. I entertain no doubt as to the "advantage" to patients and to the
public, of there being a limited number of hospitals under one central
authority. There should be no question of pauper or non-pauper in
this matter. All sick persons desiring or requiring isolation in hospital
should be freely received without payment, the certificate of a
Medical Officer of Health, or a Poor Law Medical Officer, or any other
duly-qualified medical man, being accepted as evidence of the nature of
the infectious disease.