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62
I may add that the matter being one of public importance,
and with a view of strengthening the hands of the
Managers in their application to the Local Government Board,
I brought it before the Society of Medical Officers of Health and
the Council of the Sanitary Institute in October. Both bodies
passed an identical resolution in the following terms:—
"That this (Society or Council) has observed with satisfaction the efforts
recently made by the Metropolitan Asylums Board to facilitate the admission
of infectious cases to their hospitals, by removing patients upon the application,
not only of Sanitary Officials, but also of duly qualified medical
practitioners; and with regard to the request of the Managers to the Local
Government Board 'for or to obtain authority for the Managers to remove
patients upon the application of medical practitioners,' trusts that the desired
authority will be conferred or obtained by the Local Government Board."
It was ordered by both bodies that a copy of the above
resolution be forwarded to the President of the Local Government
Board, to the Asylums Board, and to the several Vestries
and District Boards.
Personally I note with satisfaction the proceedings of the
Asylums Board in this matter, having regard to the difference
between the Managers and myself thereon in July, 1884,
resulting from the circular letter I then issued to medical men
in this parish, in which I stated that the Managers would remove
patients upon their application, subject to careful
compliance with certain reasonable conditions as to the mode
of making application, medical certificate, etc. There is now
complete agreement between the Managers and myself with
regard to the subject, and I look forward hopefully to the time
when the Local Government Board shall have obtained
powers to enable the Managers to do legally that which they
are now doing, with public advantage, and with the Board's
cognizance, but without express authority. That the desired
powers will ultimately be conferred upon the Managers I
entertain no doubt. And then, under arrangements for free
treatment of the infectious sick, we shall have in the Hospital
and Ambulance service, regarded in the light of a provision
against epidemics, all that can be desired for the protection of
the public health.