HC Deb 07 April 1881 vol 260 cc888-9
SIR SYDNEY WATERLOW

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been called to the increasing number of cases of small pox within the Metropolis; and, whether any special arrangements have been made by the Government for the care of these patients, having regard to the great danger of admitting such cases into the general hospitals, and to the fact that the beds in the small pox hospitals are stated to be all occupied?

MR. DODSON

Sir, my attention has for some time past been anxiously directed to the prevalence of small-pox in the Metropolis. The Government itself has no power to take charge of persons suffering from this disease; but the Local Government Board has not failed to impress upon the several authorities who are either required or enabled to provide hospital accommodation for small-pox patients, whether of the pauper or non-pauper class, the necessity of making every arrangement in their power to meet the emergency. I am glad to say that arrangements are being made by some of the authorities to supplement the hospital accommodation at the disposal of the managers of the Metropolitan Asylum District.