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the hospitals are ''potential paupers"—that is, they are
persons who, although able to pay their way in ordinary
circumstances, are disabled by an outbreak of infectious disease
in their families or themselves. Single persons, for example, male
or female, living by service of whatever kind, who, while quite
capable of supporting themselves in health or in ordinary sickness,
are obliged to have recourse to hospitals when suffering
from infectious disease. But apart from considerations of this
sort, it must be obvious that it is just as important for the public
welfare to isolate the infectious sick in hospitals as it is to pump
water on a house on fire. More important, indeed, in the
view of those who are disposed to value life and health above
property. And there are people who consent to go to hospital,
or allow their children to be sent, as an act of duty towards
their neighbours, that they may not become the means
of spreading disease. Removal, in a word, is effected by
persuasion, and because it is for the public good. Would it
be reasonable to try to make people pay in such circumstances ?
They certainly would not pay; and the result would be that, the
sick being kept at home, centres of infection would be multiplied.
Then, when an epidemic had attained unmanageable dimensions,
there would be an unanimous outcry for a free and open hospital
system. Year by year the proportion of infectious cases
admitted to the hospitals has been increasing, and to this fact, in
large measure, is due the gratifying decrease in mortality from
scarlet fever and typhoid fever elsewhere referred to. Statements
of this kind are simple truisms to the initiated, but they are
not matter of common knowledge; and it would seem that they
are unknown to some of the Managers, very properly concerned
in the economical administration of the affairs of the Asylums
Board. The true economy in relation to infectious disease is to
stamp it out as quickly as possible, and at whatever necessary
cost. With all deference, be it said, moreover, that one fails to
see why the Managers should concern themselves in the matter.
Their drafts are duly honoured by the Boards of Guardians; and
if the Vestries were their bankers the funds would come out of the