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dealt with by the managers of the Metropolitan Asylums District. Of the economy of
the proposed measures there can he no doubt, for by the effectual separation and isolation
of infectious cases in the early days of an epidemic, the whole thing would be nipped in
the bud, and could not possibly attain such dimensions as small pox has done at the
present time.
The mere fact of the patients being paupers or not should make no difference in their
treatment. As a rule, persons suffering from infectious disease are removed to hospitals
for the benefit of their neighbours quite as much as for their own good, and under these
circumstances are fairly chargeable to the rates. The Highgate Small Pox Hospital
meets the case of those wishing to pay for treatment, and in a position to do so.
Although the duty of providing means of isolation has been thrown upon the Metropolitan
Vestries and District Boards by the legislature, yet practically they are, in the
majority of instances, unable to carry out that duty from the fact of their not possessing
facilities for so doing.
In our own case, the Sanitary Committee had selected a building, and intended to
propose its being converted into a small pox hospital, and although the building itself is
eminently suitable, yet from the fact of its being placed in a densely crowded neighbourhood,
and with the example of Limehouse before our eyes, we knew that the hue and
cry, sure to be raised against the proposal, would be certain to prevent the Vestry from
accepting the plan, which was therefore allowed to fall through.
Under these circumstances, I think that a central authority like the Metropolitan
Asylums Board, having a special knowledge of, and experience in, the construction and
management of hospitals, is decidedly the proper one to undertake such duties as those
referred to, and certainly the powers of the Sanitary Act should be conferred upon it,
so as to enable it to perform those duties and take those responsibilities which such action
would entail.
I am, Dear Sir, yours faithfully,
GEORGE PADDOCK BATE, M.D.
W. F. Jebb, Esq.
The following resolutions of the Society of Medical Officers of Health
bear upon this subject, and will therefore be interesting:—
Society of Medical Officers of Health,
May, 1877.
The Society of Medical Officers of Health has under its consideration the resolutions
adopted by the Managers of the Metropolitan Asylum District Board, respecting the
provision for the isolation and treatment of epidemic infectious disease in London, a
copy of which has been forwarded to each of the Sanitary Authorities, and Medical
Officers of Health of the Metropolis, inviting an expression of opinion thereon.
The Society agrees with the opinion of the Managers "that adequate provision for the
isolation and treatment of epidemic infectious disease in the Metropolis does not exist;"
and under existing circumstances the Society endorses conclusion (a) contained in the
above resolutions, "that such provision could be best made in a comprehensive and
systematic manner by one Central Authority acting for the whole Metropolis."
As regards the constitution of the Authority and the administration of the infectious