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For the purpose of controlling the spread of Infectious Diseases,
especially in congested working class areas and in the light of present'
knowledge, it is essential that there shall be available adequate means,
of isolation of the sick. In 1894, when the population of Tottenham
was estimated' to be 75,000 (the 1891 census was 71,343), Tottenham
entered into an arrangement with the Metropolitan Asylums Board
whereby that body reserved for Tottenham's infectious patients 100 beds.
Subsequently, in 1908, the Metropolitan Asylums Board agreed to take
patients in excess of the 100 on agreed terms when accommodation in
their hospitals permitted. In 1908 the population was 126,146, and in that
year as many as 199 patients were accommodated in the Metropolitan
Asylums Board hospitals at the same time. The population of Tottenham
to-day cannot fail far short of 155,000 and may be greatly in excess
of that number; nevertheless the number of beds at the disposal of
this district has not been increased. Further, these beds are available
in respect of certain diseases only, namely: Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria,
Enteric and Typhus Fevers, and Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis. Although
notification of Infectious Diseases is extended to Measles and German
Measles, Malaria, Pneumonia, etc., etc., there is no hospital provision
for sufferers from these diseases.