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out sanitary arrangements, and I am happy in being able to report that if
cholera had visited this part of London in the months of August or September
last, provision had been made for the reception and treatment of
cholera patients.
The following correspondence between the Local Government Board
and the Board of Guardians upon the subject, is of sufficient importance to
be made known to the inhabitants of this district.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD,
Whitehall, S.W.
16th September, 1873.
Sir,
I am directed by the Local Government Board, to state, that they have
had under their consideration the question of the amount of accommodation available
for the reception and treatment of Cholera patients, in the event of an outbreak of that
disease in the Metropolis.
The Board are not aware of the existence of any case of Asiatic Cholera at the
present time in England ; but, as the disease is prevailing in places on the Continent,
in close and frequent communication with London, the Board think it necessary that
they should be informed what provision the Guardians of Whitechapel Union would
be in a position to make for the accommodation and treatment of pauper patients, in
the event of the Metropolis being visited by a recurrence of the disease.
The Board will, at the same time, be glad to be informed within what period the
accommodation which the Guardians may be able to provide would be available.
I am, Sir.
Your obedient Servant,
To FRANCIS FLETCHER,
W. VALLANCE, Esq., Assistant Secretary.
Clerk to the Guardians of the Whitechapel Union,
Workhouse, Charles Street,
Whitechapel Road, E.
17th September, 1873.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
I am directed by the Board of Guardians to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of yesterday's date, in which you request to be furnished with information as to
the provisions which the Guardians would be in a position to make, for the accommodation
and treatment of pauper patients in the event of the Metropolis being visited by Cholera.
I am directed to state that, to meet the exigencies of the situation during the late
epidemic of small-pox, anterior to the provision of Hospital accommodation by the
Managers of the Metropolitan Asylum District, and later, by reason of the insufficiency of
such accommodation, and of some patients not being in a fit state to be removed to
Hospitals, the Guardians fitted up temporary Wards adjacent to the Labour Yard of
this Union, which is unconnected with the Workhouse, although sufficiently near to enable
such Wards to be administered under the direction of the Matron, and as part of the
Workhouse.
These wards having been disinfected, have recently been limewashed and cleansed
in view of a threatened epidemic of Cholera, and they are now available in the event of the
district being visited by the disease.
The Poor Law Board, by certificate dated 27th March, 1871, declared the accommodation
of such Wards to bo sufficient for 30 patients.
With regard to the period within which the wards would be ready for the reception of
Patients, I am directed to state, that the final cleansing and the provision of necessary
bedding and furniture would probably occupy three or four hours; and therefore, it may
be said, that in a few hours the accommodation would be available.
I have the honour to be,
My Lords and Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
Local Government Board, W. VALLANCE,
Whitehall, S.W. Clerk.