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ment provides that 75 "mixed,'" or 50 severe or confluent cases
of small-pox may be treated in the hospital at one time, but
is understood that the managers will not receive more than
40 at any one time if they can help it. The hospital site, I
understand, is to be divided, the larger, southern, portion containing
five pavilions, (150 beds), will ultimately be a fever
hospital: the smaller portion, three pavilions, with certain additional
buildings, will be a small-pox hospital. A wall running
from east to west will separate the two hospitals, as far as
practicable: each hospital will, I presume, have an assistant
Medical Officer under the direction of the Medical Superintendent
in charge of both hospitals. Not being myself a
convert to "aerial infection" theory as developed in Mr.Power's
report on this hospital, I should not fear the reception of fifty
severe cases of small-pox, provided due care in administration,
to prevent spread of infection, were observed; but
considering that not a half—barely a quarter—of 50 severe
cases were in the hospital when the "notable outburst"
occurred in January, 1881, the upholders of that theory
may well look forward with apprehension to the practical
realization of the new arrangements which, however, have
been sanctioned by the Plaintiffs in the action, and are based
on the recommendations of the Hospitals Commission. The
injunction having been dissolved, patients can be admitted
from any distance, but the hospital will be utilized chiefly for the
Western districts, and especially for the parishes of Kensington,
Chelsea, Fulham, and Hammersmith.*
Considerable improvements, by the provision of permanent
accommodation for nurses, and for administrative purposes
generally, are being carried out at the hospital. New
entrances also are in course of construction, and altogether
the establishment, when finished, will be of a very complete
character.
* The Hospital was re-opened May 17th, 1884, for the reception of small-pox
cases. Vide page 38