View report page

159
[1907
When the subject was under the consideration of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board I noticed the mover of the resolution desired the appointment of a Royal
Commission to inquire into the cause of the disease. I think that this is a cumbrous
and costly body, and, indeed, I doubt that any inquiry at all is necessary
even with respect to the cause of the disease, which at present is considered to be
uncertain.
At all events, Bacteriologists disagree on the subject. This seems to me to be
the crux of the whole question, for if this is once definitely agreed upon by these
scientists, then indeed we may hope that the medical staff of the hospitals will be
able to determine accurately, before the discharge of the patients, if they are free
from infection.
It is unfortunate that at present they are unable to determine the fact, at all
events they fail in many instances to do so with certainty, as shown by the circumstances
that only within the last few weeks we have had several cases in Islington
which were infected by brothers or sisters recently discharged from hospital.
Many workers, in many countries, have studied, and are studying, this
question, and, therefore, it is probable that some day the truth will be known.
Whether or not a Government Inquiry on an extended scale would result in
gaining more certain knowledge on this subject is a moot point ; indeed I am
inclined to think that the Local Government Board will rest for the present on the
investigations carried out only a few years ago by Dr. Mervyn Gordon (vide
section 4) leaving to private research, or to other Governments, the task of carrying
the matter further.
With respect to the hospitals I think it will be admitted that they are well
managed so far as the medical treatment is concerned; that the figures show that
they have done a great work, and that they deserve the confidence of the public.
Complaints against them are rarely, if ever, heard; which, considering that fully a
half million patients have been treated in them since 1890, testifies to their good
management better than words can; and above all that they have been instrumental
in checking the spread of the disease.
With the facts which I have adduced before me, I am of opinion that it is not
necessary to institute the Inquiry which the Holborn Borough Council desire, but
as the Metropolitan Asylums Board themselves seem to be frightened at their expenditure,
without apparentlv having made a full examination into the true significance
of the figures which were placed before them by the gentleman who I understand
brought the question forward in the two public bodies I have named, I do not
suppose you will do anything to prevent them obtaining an inquiry if the Local
Government Board should be disposed to grant it on the grounds they have
adduced; but whether or not you will assist them is another matter, and one, as
a large money question is indirectly involved, I must leave to your own discretion
to decide.
I am,
Your faithful servant,
A. E. HARRIS,
Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall, Islington,
28th January, 1908.