367
9. It will be seen that during 1890 more than five times the number of out-patients were receiv- ing medicines from this Department than was the case in 1880. The total number of prescriptions dispensed in 1890, including repetitions, was 6,832.
10. In-Patients.-During 1890, 1,957 in-patients were supplied with medicines against 1,793 during the preceding year. In 1880 the number was 1,055. The expenditure of time involved in this service obviously depends on the character of the prescriptions sent down from the wards. Judg. ing from the actual number of in-patients under treatment, there is not such a large increase as may be noted in the out-patient's section. I find, however, that two dispensers are now necessary to get through the work formerly done by one man. This remark applies to the dispensing of prescriptions at the morning round alone. The dispensing at the night round varies considerably. On an average it is equal to one fifth of the day work.
11. Manufacture of Pharmaceutical preparations.-A considerable amount of time is devoted to the above. Previous to 1881, Pharmacopæial preparations were obtained from London, through the Crown Agents. It was on the recommendation of my predecessor that this change was inaugurated. Apart from economical grounds this departure was found to be necessary from the fact that in many instances, owing to climatic conditions, special forms have to be devised for the prepara- tions laid down in the National Pharmacopeia. It would be difficult to shew in the form of a finan- cial statement the saving effected to Government by this measure. That it is considerable may be inferred from the fact that while as compared with ten years ago we have nearly double the number of in-patients, and more than five times the number of out-patients, the estimates for medicines in that period have only been increased from $1,500.00 to $2,000.00
12. Remarks.-As in previous years only the most necessary analytical work has been con- ducted. The long promised new Laboratory is approaching completion, and before the next annual report is prepared I hope to have a more comprehensive statement of work done in the analytical department. A considerable amount of time will be devoted this year to the analysis of the Pokfulum and Taitam Water, before and after filtration, which has been ordered by Government on the requisition of the resident engineer of the Water and Drainage Department. These results will I think be of great practical and scientific interest.
13. The change alluded to in my annual report for 1889 under which I shall be required to devote full time to analytical work has been finally sanctioned by the Secretary of State. The suc- cessful working of this new scheme will obviously depend on the Assistant Apothecary with two Chinese Assistants being able to carry on the work in the Hospital Pharmacy. It is not improbable that some changes in this direction may become necessary if there is a further increase in the number of in and out-patients.
14. Mr. E. W. LUCAS, the new Assistant Apothecary, entered on his duties on the 16th of February, 1890, and has devoted a considerable amount of time since his arrival to the completion of the internal arrangements of the Pharmacy. The Department is now in a thorough state of orga- nisation so far as the dispensing of medicines is concerned.
15. With regard to the care of medical stores, I have in the form of a special report made certain recommendations which will I hope be acted on before long.
16. I avail myself of this opportunity to convey my thanks to the Assistant Apothecary and to the two Chinese Assistants, Messrs. ÜI KAI, and CHAU KAM TS'UN, for the cheerful assistance rendered during an exceptionally heavy year.
I have the honour to be,
THE COLONIAL SURGEON.
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W. EDWARD CROW,
Apothecary and Analyst.