Correspondence with regard to Epidemic of Small-Pox at Athenry

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EPIDEMIC OF SxVlALL-POX AT ATHENRY. 
31 

— No. 
69. 
— 

(No. 
11,495—75.) 

Report from Dr. 
Brodie to the Local Government Board. 
Gentlemen, Galvvay, 30 May 1875. 
I was present at the weekly meeting of the Board of Guardians of the Loughrea Union on yesterday. 
Lord Dunsandle in the chair. 
The principal business transacted, as at previous meetings, had reference to the small-pox at Athenry. 
I reported to the Board the spread of the disease, 75 cases from 1st March to the 29th May ; 16 deaths, 20 recoveries, 24 in hospital, 15 under treatment outside. 
Of the 24 in hospital, 9 are convalescent, the remaining 15 progressing favourably. 
A letter was read from Dr. 
Leonard calling attention to the want of sufficient hospital accommodation for the number of small-pox patients requiring treatment therein. 
I explained the difficulty we had to contend with as we were unable to induce any of the tradesmen of Athenry to venture on the hospital grounds for the purpose of getting one of the out-offices fitted up as an auxiliary. 
Failing in Athenry to procure skilled hands for this object, Mr. 
Keller of Loughrea offered his services to carry out the work, but at the last moment he also declined, alleging opposition on the part of his family, and dread of carrying the disease from Athenry to Loughrea. 
The Board directed the clerk to communicate with Mr. 
Irvine and offer liberal terms if he would consent to take this matter in hand, and put the office in question into proper order, and that the sum he would be entitled to could be left to Major Lopdell and Mr. 
Burton Persse, the two guardians who had before negotiated as to the terms upon which the guardians and him¬ self would deal in regard to the present small-pox hospital, and that as this was a case of necessity, no time should be lost in commencing operations, and making the additional space available for the calls which would soon be made upon it. 

I also ^adverted to the mode of conveying the patients to hospital by means of a donkey and cart, and expressed my objection to this course. 
The Board directed that Dr. 
Leonard be authorised to purchase a horse in Athenry and to use the covered car in future for such purposes. 
The Board promised every assistance in combating and endeavouring to guard against the effects of this dire disease, and ended by giving a somewhat practical proof of their appreciation of Dr. 
Leonard's services by an influential member handing in a notice of his intention to " 

move at the meeting of the 12th proximo, that the doctor's salary be increased as a recompense due to him for his extra duties." 

I have, &c. 
The Local Government Board, Dublin. 
(signed) T. 
Brodie. 

— No. 
70. 
— 

(No. 
11,495— 75.) 
Letter from the Local Government Board to the Under Secretary of the Lord 

Lieutenant. 

Local Government Board, Dublin, Sir, 31 May 1875. 
The Local Government Board for Ireland forward for the information of his Grace the Lord Lieutenant, the accompanying extract from a report which they have this day received from their inspector, Dr. 
Brodie, relating to the outbreak of small-pox at Athenry in the Loughrea Union. 

By Order of the Board, T. 
H. 
Burke, Esq., 
(signed) B. 
Banks, 

&c. 
&c. 
&c, Secretary. 

Dublin Castle. 

— No. 
7L-— 

(No. 
11,495—75.) 

Letter from the Local Government Board to Dr. 
Brodie. 

Local Government Board, Dublin, Sir, • 2 June 1875. 
I am directed by the Local Government Board for Ireland to acknowledge the receipt of your report of the 30th altimo, relating to the prevalence of small-pox at Athenry. 
422. 
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