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64
The Managers themselves now, and I believe I may safely
add, the Local Government Board also, recognize not merely the
desirability, in the interests of public health, of admitting all
comers, but the fact that few of the patients are able to pay.
The subject came under the Managers' notice in March, when it
was stated that the facts would show that not five per cent. of
those thus admitted were of a class who could pay, and that not
ten per cent. had friends who could pay part of their cost—
statements well borne out by our experience in this "rich"
parish, as I shewed in my Annual Report for 1887 (page 67). It
was further stated that the admissions had greatly benefited the
Metropolis, in removing the fever-stricken from among the
population—a fact the accuracy of which will not be questioned
by anyone conversant with the subject, but of which the importance
is perhaps scarcely realized even now by a not inconsiderable
section of those concerned in the "medical relief" of the infectious
sick.
PAYMENT FOR NON-PAUPER CASES IN HOSPITAL.
The Asylums Board issued a return in May, 1888, of fever
patients admitted to the hospitals, with and without Relieving
Officers' orders, shewing that 40 per cent. of the cases in a
specified time bad been admitted without orders. Thereupon
a ratepayer expressed his intention of appealing, and be did
appeal, to the Auditor to surcharge the cost of the maintenance
of all patients admitted without Relieving Officers' orders
during the half-year ended at Lady-day. The Auditor in due
course had the matter under consideration; but to avoid the
delay involved in the process of getting a surcharge remitted, in
the event of the Auditor making one, the Clerk to the Managers,
under their authority, applied to the Local Government Board
to sanction the expenditure incurred in the maintenance of such