[from the Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission Report - 1879]

APPENDIX VI Memorandum of the Public Vaccinators

Douglas, August 23 1878

To His Excellency H. B, LOCH, Esq, C,B,, &c,, Lieutenant-Governor

Sir

In accordance with the wish expressed by your Excellency, at your meeting with the High-Bailiffs and public Vaccinators on July 9th, that you would like to have the views of the vaccinators with regard to the adoption of dispensaries throughout the Island, and the carrying out of sanitary work.

We, the Public Vaccinators, have met and considered the matter over, and respectfully beg to forward to your Excellency our views on the subject.

We think that undoubtedly there are many cases in the country districts that require medical attendance, and who, through poverty and other causes, die without any medical relief.

With respect to your Excellency's plan of fixing dispensaries, and dates for attendance, in the country districts, we think that it would not be desirable.

Firstly—Because of the extreme difficulty that men in private practice would have in attending regularly at fixed hours.

Secondly—In our opinion if appointments were made the benefits derived by the people would not not nearly be commensurate with the expense to the Government.

Thirdly—'The majority of persons in urgent need of relief would even then have to be visited at their homes, not being able to attend at the stations. Therefore, we would suggest—

In place of country dispensaries, that there should be a dispensary and small hospital in each town which would meet the requirements of those who would be able to attend at the country stations. The other work could then be carried out as under the English plan, viz., That the doctor upon receipt of an order from the vicar, wardens or captain of parish, visits the persons at their own homes.

With respect to the remuneration to be made to the medical officers, we would suggest to your Excellency that the vaccination fees remain distinct as under the English system, and that for the other work an annual sum be fixed relatively to the acreage and population of each several district, with special fixed fees for midwifery, operations reduction, and attendance in cases of fracture. To give your Excellency an idea of the districts and salaries of the English officers, we append a statement of the extent of some of the English districts and salaries paid.

With respect to the appointment of sanitary officers, we think that some proper supervision is very much needed and that the medical officer working each several district would be the best person to carry out the work. We beg at the same time, to point out to your Excellency that this would entail considerably more work, and that fair estimate should be taken of it in fixing any scale of remuneration.

We beg to remain, Your Excellency's obedient servants,

HENRY HIGGINS,
JOHN CLAGUE,
JOHN WM. WOOD,
J. A. DEARDEN.

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