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46
but they were not adopted. The management of the two isolation
hospitals is of course entirely in the hands of that Committee, but
it may be said here that the more important suggestions were
(1) the rebuilding entirely of that portion of the hospital known
as the Observation Block, and (2) the provision of additional
administrative accommodation.
Neither of these matters is of urgent importance at present,
but should an outbreak of small.pox occur in either of the two
constituent districts both would be much needed. Cases would
be admitted both for treatment and for isolation and observation
of patients about whom uncertainty as to the actual diagnosis of
the disease might exist. It is for these latter cases that the
suggested new observation block is required. The practical benefit
to the community of isolating doubtful cases is obvious, but there
is no law giving power to insist on it and it can only be carried
out by the voluntary consent of the patients or their friends, and
the provision of suitable accommodation in special wards situated
sufficiently far away from those in which undoubted cases are
placed to prevent the fear of infection.
Mogden Isolation Hospital.
The accommodation provided at this hospital for the treatment
of patients suffering from Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever or Typhoid,
was sufficient during the year for the number of cases that had
to be admitted. They included an exceptional number of Scarlet
Fever cases from Richmond. Fortunately there was no increase
of similar cases in this district at the same time, but if an outbreak
of either Scarlet Fever or Diphtheria should occur here and
in Richmond together, serious difficulty and danger would arise.
The need for increasing the number of beds in the hospital has
frequently been pointed out. The remarks made in the Report for
1907 require no alteration.
The following report on the work of the Hospital during the
year has been prepared by Dr. Power, the Resident Medical
Officer:—