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(b) Smallpox.
Arrangements were in existence for some years whereby the
first cases of smallpox could be admitted to the special Smallpox
Hospital at Clandon, Surrey.,
These arrangements have now been superseded by a Regional
Hospital Board provision for first cases to be admitted to
Joyce Green Hospital, Dartford, Kent, after consultation with a
named smallpox consultant.
No cases occurred in the Borough during the year.
(c) General.
The main General Hospital situated in the Borough available
for the District is The Kingston Hospital, Wolverton Avenue,
Kingston-upon-Thames (Telephone KINgston 5692)
2. National Assistance Act, 1948.
Under Section 47 of this Act, a Local Authority is empowered
to apply to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, to have removed to
suitable premises, persons in need of care and attention.
Your Medical Officer was satisfied after thorough enquiry and
consideration, that an aged person occupying one room in Richmond
Road, should be removed from the premises in her own interests, and
in order to prevent injury to the health of other persons. She was
unable to devote to herself, and was not receiving from other persons
proper care and attention, and a certificate was issued to this effect.
Application was made by the Town Council to the Court for
removal to Kingston Hospital, and an Order was made authorising
this for an initial period of three months.
The removal was carried out, and it was learned subsequently
that the old lady had passed away after being in the hospital
for four weeks, the cause of death being (a) Hypostatic pneumonia
(b) peritonitis (chronic) (c) Colitis and perforation of the bowel.
The following is a brief summary of certain cases and the
action taken, and/or advice given.
While the picture, as conveyed by the summary, is distressing
it relates to but a small percentage of all the aged. Happily
as yet, by far the largest proportion of the aged are able to live
out their lives in independence, and comparative vigour.