ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN. 53 I inquired particularly into the medical expenses of those gaols; I found that the medical attendant at Newgate, in consideration of his salary of 500/. a year, attends the prisons of Newgate, Giltspur- street, and the Borough compter, and finds all descriptions of medicines wanted in those three gaols, and also pays an assistant. Are there any hospital keepers or nurses employed on salaries in those prisons None; some of the best conducted of the convicts are permitted to perform those duties, for which they receive a small addition to their daily rations, and if verv de serving, their exertions are in some cases, allowed to recommend them for a mitigation of punishment; I visited also, the gaol for the county of Surrey, in Horsemonger- lane, the surgeon, who is the only medical attendant, has a salary of 100/. out of which he finds all medicines ; I do not, however, conceive that the expenses of any esta- blishment in Ireland should be measured by corresponding charges for a similar one in England; we have many at home, which are regulated upon the most econo- mical, and at the same time, the most efficient principles; the county of Dublin infirmary or Meath hospital, is one instance amongst many, and I will beg leave to present a statement of the expense incurred at that institution, for medicines and necessaries during the last four years, with an account of the number of internal and external patients. [ 7/ was delivered in, and read as follows:] Meath Hospital and County of Dublin Infimary Medical Return: Paid for Medicines and Necessaries: £. s. d. 181 9 148 8 lof 1820 173 10 2 182 1 197 1 - 182 2 192- 61 The number of external patients cannot be correctly ascertained, but it is presumed they may be fairly averaged at about 250 per day. An official return by Mr. Cussack Rooney, surgeon to the establishment. Could you now inform the Committee, how any reduction could be made in those expenses in the Dublin gaols ?— I have taken a good deal of pains to obtain the most accurate information on that subject, and I am perfectly certain, that many gentlemen possessing the most ample and honourable testimonials from the college of surgeons, and in every possible respect qualified, would be found to undertake the attendance upon the sick in all the gaols, for a salary of 1501, a year; and I am equally certain, that all the necessary medicines could be furnished for 100 a year; the saving under this head alone, would consequently exceed 1,0001. per annum ; I should not make the statement with respect to the cost of medicines so confidently, had I not inquired of the most respectable surgeon to the London gaols ; he was so obliging, as to refer to his accounts, by which he most clearly and satisfactorily showed me, that the cost of medicines for the three gaols under his 549. " O superintendence Mr. John M'Mulltn. ( 6 May.)