§ MR. J. G. TALBOTasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he can inform the House as to the present condition of the epidemic of small-pox in the Metropolis, and as to the available accommodation for smallpox cases in the hospitals which are under the control of the Local Government Board; and, whether he will lay upon the Table any communications which he has received from the managers of the Metropolitan Asylums District on this subject?
§ MR. DODSONSir, I regret to say that there is a considerable prevalence of small-pox in the Metropolis, especially in the Eastern and Southern districts, and at present there are no signs of its abatement. The actual number of beds available for small-pox patients in the hospitals under the control of the Metropolitan Asylums District is 700, of which 641 are now occupied; but arrangements are being made by the managers—to whom great praise is due for their efforts to meet the epidemic— by which, in the course of a fortnight or three weeks, nearly 250 additional beds will be placed at their disposal. If it were not for the unfortunate proceedings pending in relation to the Hampstead Hospital, 300 beds would have been available for small-pox patients in that establishment. I can have no objection to lay upon the Table of the House the recent communications from the managers to the Local Government Board on this subject, with the replies of the Board; but, as the hon. Member is on the Board of Managers, he is, doubtless, fully aware of the nature of the correspondence which has taken place