View report page

24
Miss Bellinger, were such as to somewhat modify the views
formerly held by me of the methods whereby which spread of infection
in isolation hospitals might be prevented. These modified views
have been recently stated by me to a professional audience, and without
going at length here into technical matters, I may say that I am
convinced that by a proper ritual of asepsis the dangers attending the
introduction of mixed cases, doubtful cases, and cases of mistaken
diagnosis may be practically abolished, while at the same time, as
we have proved, considerable economy in staffing can be secured.
It is, however, absolutely essential for the success of this
method that there should never be any diminution in the full
amount of air space allotted to each patient, that the equipment of
the wards should be kept up to a certain level, and that there
should be a sufficient number of wards.
If experience confirms these views, 1 believe it will be found
that cases of infectious disease may be handled with greater boldness
than formerly, and, what will perhaps be regarded as even more
satisfactory, there may be a greater economy in the construction
and administration of, at any rate small, isolation hospitals.
There is no doubt, I think, but that greater attention should
be paid to isolation hospitals than is now the case. It is a pity
that there is no machinery for their official inspection, as is the
case with asylums, workhouses and infirmaries ; and, though perhaps
it is hardly within my province to make the suggestion, still
there have been official enquiries into subjects of, perhaps, less
importance to the community than the provision and management
of these institutions.
It is difficult to say which zymotic diseases, if any, will not, a
generation hence, be treated by local authorities in specially
equipped institutions directly descended from the contemned "fever
hospitals" of to-day.