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34
had any doubt as to the nature of the illness. Having had experience
in dealing with small-pox cases the Medical Officer of Health
offered his services for such a purpose.
The Health Committee acted on this suggestion.
The Medical Officer of Health for the Heston and Isleworth
Urban District being of the same opinion advised his Authority
accordingly, and as a result a copy of the following letter was
sent to every Medical Practitioner in the respective districts.
the
BOROUGH OF RICHMOND (SURREY)
and the
HESTON & ISLEWORTH URBAN DISTRICT JOINT HOSPITALS.
PRIVATE.
10th February, 1902.
Dear Sir,
You are probably aware that any case of small-pox which
may be notified in the above Districts will be removed to the
Hospital at Dockwell, near Hounslow. One isolation block at the
hospital has been set aside, under a separate nursing staff, for
observation purposes. In the event of your having any doubtful
case of chicken pox, or other case suspicious of small-pox, we can
arrange for its removal to this observation block, if you desire.
Realising the anxiety which sometimes occurs in arriving at
a correct diagnosis in the early stages of chicken pox and other
cutaneous eruptions, we wish to intimate to you that we will
willingly visit any doubtful case you may have in our respective
districts at any time, and, although possibly we may not be able to
throw any further light on the case, we shall be glad to share the
responsibility with you in deciding as to whether it should be sent
to the hospital or not.