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53
and the Ambulance Committee might jointly arrange. On the
14th of October the hospital was opened, and by the 21st it
contained 141 patients. Without the assistance of this hospital
the requirements of the Metropolis in respect of fever accommodation
could not have been met, for on the 13th November, no
less than 2435 beds were occupied by fever and diphtheria
patents, that being the maximum number under treatment at any
one time during the year. The distance of the hospital from the
Western Hospital is 'z,8 miles. Its distance from all the hospitals,
other than the South-Eastern, diminishes ifs value as a relief
hospital for fever convalescents, and, of course, during the
prevalence of small-pox it could not be made available for fever
convalescents at all. The Ambulance Committee therefore
express a hope that the question of a fever convalescent hospital
in a situation convenient for the requirements of South London,
as suggested by the Royal Commissioners in 1882, may receive
the attention of the Board at an early date.
Diphtheria Patients.—The total number of patients removed
to the hospitals was 1049, and of that number 37 per cent, were
removed during the first half, and 63 per cent. during the second
half of the year. Since June cases of membranous croup, when
stated to be diphtheritic in nature, have been admitted into the
Managers' hospitals.
Cost of the Ambulance Services.—The payments made during
the year for the land service were £8095 4s. 5d., including
£1018 5s. 1d. on the completion of the reconstruction and
enlargement of the South-eastern station. The river service cost
£3824 3s. 7d., including £308 13s. 8d. for repairs to the
steamers. The total cost therefore was £11,919 8s. The cost
of the land service was only 18 per cent. in excess of the amount
in 1889, but the work performed, if measured by mileage, was
75 per cent. in excess of that of 1889—a fact which, while it
reflects credit on the economical management of the Stations by
their respective superintendents, also shows how large a portion
of the cost of the service consists in the standing expenses of