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23
I believe that there will be a real economy in working when
this new block is erected, especially if it is found possible to
reserve the "old block" for mixed, doubtful, or other cases, as in
practice this block, consisting as it does of four wards and two
duty rooms, is a woefully extravagant place in which to nurse the
ten cases it nominally holds if these ten cases be all instances of
one disease. The necessity for the erection of a small and suitable
mortuary is, I think, generally admitted.
It is to be hoped that when these proposed works
are executed that the preventive side of the Council's health
work—I mean the work of the Sanitary Department—will
be so supported and strengthened that, in spite of the inevitable
growth of the district, it will be some years before there
is need for capital expenditure on the hospital except in
respect of those minor works and improvements which are best
carried out from time to time before postponement and delay has
led to makeshifts and contrivances which are rarely efficient and
always extravagant.
During 1907 Miss Clark, the Matron, whose services had
been most valuable, received an appointment in India, and Miss
Bellinger, the Chief Nurse, was appointed to succeed her.
A block plan of the hospital is given on page 11 of this
report, and shows the disposition of the present and projected
buildings. The paths, &c., have been laid out in such a way that
proper arrangements can be made on the site in the event of the
population of the district rising to its probable maximum—70,000.
School Hygiene.
The system of inspection and supervision of public elementary
schools, mentioned in my last report, has been continued in this
district with, I think it may be said, very satisfactory results.