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Mr. MCCONACHIE.-There is no doubt, I think, that the difficulty would be met if we got an additional nurse out from home. But sometimes two nurses would be going on leave at the same time, would you manage with one additional nurse?
Miss EASTMOND.-Yes; unless the work increased.
Mr. THURBURN.--The only object of Dr. Lowson's scheme is cheapness absolutely; there is no other advantage is there?
Dr. CANTLIE. There is this that trained nurses would be available for the Colony.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-It is very desirable, of course, to have trained nurses for work in the Colony, but what we have to do with is to consider what is best for the Govern- ment Civil Hospital. Outside nursing is beyond the scope of our inquiry.
THE PRESIDENT.-Do you think the remuneration is sufficient for the nurses?
Miss EASTMOND.-The pay is not what it was when we came out.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-Have you got exchange compensation? Miss EASTMOND.—Yes.
Dr. MARQUES, Medical Officer, Victoria Gaol, called.
THE PRESIDENT.--Will you give us an idea of the general routine of your duties?
Dr. MARQUES.-I visit the Gaol every morning at half past nine o'clock and see all the prisoners ordered for punishment; they are dealt with in accordance with my report. I see all the prisoners who are in Hospital and those reported to be unable to do work; and I wait to see the Superintendent of the Gaol and attend all the floggings. I have also to examine the new prisoners and those who are on solitary confinement, to attend the female gaol and pass the prisoners awarded punishment and attend to those prisoners reported sick. I have also to attend the families of the officers any time I am called-gaol turnkeys who live outside.
Dr. PRESTON.-Do they live far from the Gaol?
Dr. MARQUES.-Yes, some at East Point and some at West Point. There are more than thirty turnkeys. Of these ten are married. The gaol guards have also to be attended by me. I may. be called to the Gaol at any time. I never go to the Peak or to Kowloon without asking permission from Dr. AYRES, The number of patients in the Gaol varies. The daily average inside the Hospital is about twenty. There are out- patients as well. As a rule most of my work is done in one visit, but I have to make three visits sometimes. During the plague I visited regularly twice a day.
Dr. CANTLIE.-How long would it take to do your duties?
Dr. MARQUES.-Three hours; sometimes over. Yesterday, I was over three hours. I am on duty night and day. I have also to attend post mortem examinations. Last year we had only forty post mortems. I have to attend inquiries at the Magistracy. When I was first appointed we had as many as 180 post mortem examinations a year. In addition to the 40 made by me, Dr. Lowson had a good many last year at the Govern- ment Civil Hospital, and Dr. CANTLIE made some at the Mortuary with my assistance.
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Dr. CANTLIE.-Would you say there were one post mortem a week between the Civil Hospital and the Mortuary and the Gaol?
Dr. MARQUES.-I do not know about the Hospital. Last year there were very few post mortems in the Gaol. It is a Government order that a post mortem should be made on every prisoner who dies in the Gaol. I am required to live near the Gaol. I get an allowance in lieu of quarters.
THE PRESIDENT.-Are you under any agreement with the Government?