In  conclusion,  Mr.  Mathews  said,  let  this  Association  set  itself  the
task  of  procuring  for  the  various  English  hospitala  ik  Go^c9Etti&»ii\


486  Health  Summary.
Commission  of  Inquiry.    The  maintenance  of  ihe  public  health  was
one  of  the  first— one  of  the  few  duties  of  a  wise  Gk>yemment.     The
great  county  and  town  hospitals  were,  for  the  most  part,  in  the
enjoyment  of  large  incomes  from  the  donations  and  legacies  of  dead
Governors.    They  were  as  fairly  the  property  of  the  public  as
colleges  or  grammar  schools,  as  fit  objects  of  Groyemment  inspectioo,
and,  if  necessary,  of  Government  control.    He  felt  that  he  ought
to  apologise,  not  being  a  medical  man,  for  expressing  himself  so
unreservedly  on  questions  of  hospital  administration.      But  these
were  subjects  which  ought  to  be  discussed  in  general  as  well  as  in
medical  circles.     They  were  especially  interesting  to  him,  and  he
had  studied  them  for  many  years  in  conjunction  with  some  members
of  the  noble  profession  which  he  sincerely  respected  and  honoured.
They  were  subjects  interesting  alike  to  the  philanthropist  and  the
political  economist,  to  the  medical  profession  and  the  sick  poor.
