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Dr. CANTLIE. The idea is that these men might be useful to the port in case of epidemic disease.
Dr. JORDAN.-I think they would help to render the Registrar General's returns
more accurate.
Dr. CANTLIE. Do you think any of these men would be of any use in your Depart- ment?
Dr. JORDAN.-Not on board steamers. would take no notice of them.
Dr. CANTLIE.-You could not trust them?
Some of these rough seafaring people
Dr. JORDAN.--No; not for that work; but they would be very handy for the inspection of junks, perhaps.
Dr. PRESTON.-But then they would be open to squeeze?
Dr. JORDAN.-Yes.
Mr. THURBURN.-Of course, the establishment of these dispensaries would lead to these men starting practice on their own account?
Dr. JORDAN.-Yes, as they get better known.
Mr. THURBURN.-And if they found it worth while to start private practice it would mean that an appreciation of Western medicine is spreading amongst the Chinese?
Dr. JORDAN. Yes.
THE PRESIDENT.-Are there not Chinese doctors in practice here now?
Dr. JORDAN.Not using European medicines. They use Chinese medicines.
Dr. CANTLIE.-There are hundreds of Chinese doctors here, and at the Tung Wah it is Chinese medicine that is used. There native doctors have no training whatever.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-Can Dr. JORDAN express any opinion why the Civil Hospital is not availed of by the natives? Why is it not popular with the Chinese? Why don't they go there voluntarily?
Dr. JORDAN. To tell the truth, I do not know that I have thought much about it. I should not be prepared to venture an opinion about it.
Dr. CANTLIE.-I think that explains it. It never enters a Chinaman's head that the Civil Hospital was intended for him.
Dr. JORDAN.-There is a large attendance at the Alice Memorial Hospital. When I was looking after the Eye Department there, I have attended as many as 80 or 90 patients twice a week.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-Reverting to the Chinese drug shops, do you think the men in charge should be under the Government? There is an idea that they should be under the College of Medicine.
Dr. JORDAN.-I think it would be much better to have them under the College of Medicine.
Mr. THURBURN.—Why?
Dr. JORDAN.—I think there is much more confidence amongst the Chinese with regard to the Alice Memorial Hospital than there is with regard to the Government Hospital.
Mr. THURBURN.—That arises from the fact that the Alice Memorial Hospital has been made more popular?
Dr. JORDAN.-Quite so.