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42
FEVER HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION.
The Royal Commission recommended provision of sites and
buildings capable of accommodating 3,000 fever patients. " Of
the 3,000 cases those in the earlier stages, probably about half,
should be provided for in the near neighbourhood of London; the
other half—the convalescents—in two other country hospitals."
The beds now available at the five London hospitals are about
1,300, a number that may be increased by some 200 should the
plan of removing small-pox patients out of London be persevered
in. As it is, however, the recommendation of the Commission
that the London hospitals should " become in the main fever
hospitals " nas been carried into eifect. These hospitals, the
Commission thought it probable, would, " with the aid of another
hospital, which appears to be indispensable for the east of London,
fully accommodate all the cases requiring London treatment."
With a view to give effect to the recommendation of the
Commission the Managers originally intended to provide another
hospital for East London. This intention was subsequently
abandoned and a site was obtained at Winchmore Hill, nine miles
north-east from Charing Cross, on which-the "Northern Hospital"
for 500 patients is now in course of erection. It is designed
mainly for convalescing and convalescent fever cases; but acute
cases will not be excluded should the London accommodation
prove inadequate at any time. The total provision hitherto made
falls far short of the recommendations of the Commission, but I
am not aware that any fever case has ever been refused admittance
on the score of want of room. It has to be borne in mind,
moreover, in regard to scarlet fever and enteric fever, that there
has been a notable decline of mortality, and therefore of sickness,
of late years, which, as it appears to be due to improved sanitation,
is likely to be progressive. We may reasonably hope,
therefore, that the beds existing and to be provided, will suffice
for the needs of the Metropolis. The Managers have not
intimated any intention of making further provision, and are not
likely to embark in any additional building schemes without