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84
London has enjoyed during the last six years a remarkable
immunity from small-pox, a period which corresponds
with the perfected arrangements of the Asylums Board for
removing small-pox patients out of London, as recommended
by me in 1881. If this result be due to the fact of removal,
which has been made possible by the existence of the Ships,
no better investment of public money was ever made. The
Managers some years ago rejected by a large majority, a
proposal to close the Ships, and they have kept steadily to
their resolution to remove every case down the River, when
removal is not likely to prove hurtful to the patient.
Extravagant outlay, properly so described, is to be condemned,
but it is true economy to be prepared for every
emergency ; and, in my opinion, the Local Government
Hoard did wisely in making the suggestion, a few years ago,
that the Managers should endeavour to obtain a further site,
to the west or south-west of the Metropolis, which should be
available for an additional hospital for convalescent patients
—having in view the possible exigencies of an epidemic, and
taking into account the requirements of London as a whole.
Such an additional hospital could be utilized for Fever and
Diphtheria convalescents, when not required for Small-pox,
just as the Gore Farm Hospital was used for scarlet fever
convalescents in 1890-91, and is being so used at the present
time of writing.
FEVER HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION.
The Royal Commission (1882) recommended provision
of sites and buildings capable of accommodating 3000 fevet
patients. Of the 3000 cases, those in the earlier stages,
probably about half, should be provided for in the near
neighbourhood of London; the other half—the convalescents
—in two or three country hospitals." The recommendation
of the Commission, that the Town hospitals should "become
in the main fever hospitals" has been carried into effect.