Observations of the Medical Officer of Health [E.W. Hope] upon the report of Dr. R.J. Reece to the Local Government Board on smallpox and smallpox hospitals at Liverpool, 1902-3.

  • Hope, E. W. (Edward William), 1855-1950.
Date:
1905
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Observations of the Medical Officer of Health [E.W. Hope] upon the report of Dr. R.J. Reece to the Local Government Board on smallpox and smallpox hospitals at Liverpool, 1902-3. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    19/48 (page 17)
    6. In both cases the ])ievalence of smallpox was due to causes wholly unconnected with either hos))ital. 7. Iveferring to Priojy Road IIos]>ital, the spot ma[)S themselves lend no colour to the conclusion sought to be diawn from them. For more than an entii'e yeai' the hosj)ital was in full use, and the whole population within a cpiarter of a mile of it lived in entire security during that time. 8. As the site for the Fazakerley Hospital is one which the Corporation, after due deliberation and consultation with the Local Government Loard, purchased for a smallpox hospital with the sanction of the Board, questions affecting its fitness for the })urpose are of great importance. The cost of the Fazakerley Small})ox Hospital was about £(}(),000. But it is apparent that in dealing with this hospital the gravest mistakes have been made by Dr. Reece. It is quite true that a table has been constructed which would ascribe to the Fazakerley Hospital a most damaging influence upon the public health. The allegation, however, rests on the invasion of two houses within the half-mile circle, with an inci'ease of house invasion in the zone more distant from the hos|)ital. In the first ])lace, these figui’es are fai' too small to justify tabulation, and the table constitutes a use of figures which is altogether misleading and impro]ier. 9. Neither the Local Government Board nor the Port Sanitary and Hospitals Committee could assent to the continued use of this institution if the allegations contained in Dr. Reece’s table are to be regarded seriously. It does appear that the sole object sought to be served by the table is to lend colour to the })reconceivecl view which is expressed at the outset of the Report. The Port Sanitary and Hospitals Committee will desire to be satisfied upon this point, and will no doubt confer with the Local Government Board upon the matter. 10. The Committee will, of course, appreciate that Dr. Reece’s Report derives its importance from the official position which he holds, and although it does not appear that the Local Government Bop’d have adopted the Rej)ort, or have given official acceptance to it, yet no doubt must be allowed to remain as to the views of the Board and the views of the Committee in the matter. Public Health Department, Municipal Offices, Liverpool, April, 1905.