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15
I would again take the opportunity of pointing out the absolute necessity
of an additional ward to be used for the treatment of small-pox cases only,
when they arise.
It is not safe to treat such cases under the same roof as, or in close
proximity to, other diseases. The arrangement proposed by the training ships
would, if carrried out, provide such extra means of isolation without cost
to the authority, and I am, therefore, naturally anxious to see the negotiations
brought to a satisfactory termination. The staff of the Hospital would
remain the same.
During the month of May some cases of whooping cough were sent for
admission from the s.s. " Assyrian " by the Board of Trade Medical Officer.
Bearing in mind the nature of this malady, and the great danger involved
in sending such cases into an infectious disease hospital, your Medical Officer
decided to refuse admission, and advised your Worshipful Committee to
endorse his action.
In intimate connection with the Hospital is the question of payment for
accommodation.
Hospitals for the reception of cases of infectious disease are maintained
primarily for the protection of the public, in order that, by proper and early
isolation of the patient, the danger of infection may be as far as possible
minimised. To this end the Legislature has decreed that any person
suffering from a " dangerous infectious disease " on board any vessel, ship, or
boat, shall be removed to hospital.
Inasmuch, therefore, as the removal is compulsory, it seems certainly unfair
to compel payment for treatment and maintenance while isolated for the public
good.
And, moreover, the very fact of there being a charge must act as a deterrent;.
If it be known to all that no payment would or could be demanded, hospitals
would be more popular, isolation more complete, and the prevention of
epidemics more feasible.
This is recognised as a fact by all Sanitarians, and adopted as a principle
by many Local Authorities.
Your Committee has already recognised the importance of not putting any
obstacles whatever in the way of prompt removal of infectious sick, and has
reduced the charge from 35s. to 21s. per week.
I would now urge the abolition of payment altogether on these grounds :—
Firstly, that it must always act as a deterrent. Secondly, that the amount
thus recovered in the course of the year is exceedingly small. And, lastly,
that it has led in the past to considerable friction in dealing with shipowners
and masters.