View report page

25
The practical immunity of these vessels from Small-pox is noticeable, and
is alluded to in my previous remarks relative to this disease. The question
of hospital accommodation arising from infectious disease in these vessels has
called for special attention. Some of the ships have provided for their
own needs, but others, notably the " Warspite," are practically without any
isolation. In the case of the " Warspite " the only isolation the ship possesses
is some buildings at Charlton, near the former berth of the vessel, which
buildings were then used as baths. The primary difficulty in connection with
this arrangement is, of course, transport, the distance being about twelve
miles. I am strongly of opinion that there should be co-operation between
the various training ships with a view to the construction and maintenance of
a general hospital for infectious diseases occurring on the vessels. The
training ships principally affected are the " Warspite," "Worcester," and
" Arethusa."
I therefore felt it advisable to urge upon your Committee the desirability of
placing before the Authorities of the training ships the expediency of
combining and erecting and maintaining a common hospital for the treatment
of cases of infectious disease. This was done, but with the result that as two
of the Bodies concerned declined to see the advisability of this course, the
scheme fell through. I am convinced that the proposal would have been the
best solution of the difficulty, as it must be borne in mind that with a number
of boys congregated together, all of an age particularly liable to contract
infectious disease, it is probable that an epidemic may occur with which the
present means are incapable of dealing.

Remaining in Hospital, 1st January, 1902—7.
Total number of days' treatment during the half-year was 618
Average number of days under treatment for each case 14.04
The average daily cost of maintenance per head was 17.14d.