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9
in the autumn. Twelve patients were removed to the
Isolation Hospital. Some of the cases were severe in
themselves and in their complications and one terminated
fatally. There was unfortunately reason to fear that after
their return home from the Hospital some of the patients
might have communicated the disease to others. This
possibility naturally occasioned considerable anxiety to the
Medical Officer of the Hospital and myself. We consulted
together and made all possible investigations and enquiries,
and the conclusion arrived at was that while there was
such a possibility, yet there was no proof that infection
had actually been conveyed, though there undoubtedly
were coincidences difficult of explanation and that justified
suspicion.
This institution, situate now within the bounds of
your district, has again been doing most useful work. A
long time seems necessary for, or at any rate is taken up
in, negotiations between possible constituent districts, and
for settlement with those retiring, or becoming absorbed
consequent on the disestablishment of the Kingston Rural
Sanitary Authority. Apparently the initial difficulties
seem to have been overcome, and in the future the
Hospital will serve for Surbiton, Esher and the Dittons,
Coombe and the Maidens and Ham Urban and Rural.
I trust it will be early taken into consideration by the
Authority that telephonic communication should be established
between the Hospital and the Council's offices, and
if this is entrusted to the National Telephone Company,
who are about to work this district and establish a public
call office, it would be of immense advantage to all medical
men, and to relatives of patients, who would much
appreciate the possibility of getting daily and speedy
Isolation
Hospital.