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44
Having regard to the notable decline of fever mortality
already referred to elsewhere, a result as it would seem of improved
sanitation, and therefore likely to be progressive, we
may reasonably hope that the existing accommodation will suffice
for the requirements of the Metropolis. The Northern Hospital
has not yet been opened, but it would seem desirable that it
should be utilised as a sanatorium for convalescents, and I
think it would be sound policy to provide a similar institution
south of the Thames. At present the Managers appear
disposed to defer the opening of the new Hospital till such time
as the Board may have "obtained power to open these Hospitals
to all classes of the population, including paying patients." It has
been proposed to utilise the hospital for the reception of the
imbecile children now housed at Darenth Asylum, so as to free
that building for use as a permanent small-pox hospital, but the
Managers have not deemed it proper to entertain the proposal.
"By certain shiftings of the usual allocation of patients," the
Managers have "contrived that three hospitals, the Eastern,
South Eastern, and Western, have sufficed for the requirements
of the past year." But it is considered desirable that in future
—at least for a part of the year when fever is most prevalent—
"the three hospitals permanently open should be supplemented
by a fourth." There are Ambulance Stations contiguous to the
three hospitals named, and as they are most conveniently situated
for supplying the necessary accommodation they will be retained
for permanent use. The North Western Hospital, it is probable,
will be utilised as a supplementary hospital for acute cases when
required, and also for convalescents, unless necessity should
arise for opening the Northern Hospital as a convalescent hospital
for the relief of the other three hospitals permanently open.
Meanwhile, the Managers have obtained the sanction of the Local
Government Board to close the South Western Hospitals, the
district in which they are situated being within moderate distance
of the South Eastern and Western Hospitals. It is clear from
what has gone before that the existing accommodation is largely
in excess of the present demand, there being no reason, moreover,