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THE PRESIDENT.-Are the Chinese averse to European modes of treatment?
Dr. Ho KAI-Amongst the richer classes, yes; but not amongst the poorer classes. Dr. CANTLIE.--Did you ever hear it stated that they did not go there because of post mortems being held in the Civil Hospital?
Dr. Ho KAI.-No. That may be a reason why they do not go to the Civil Hospital, but I have never heard it.
Dr. CANTLIE.—The Government have asked us to go into the question of Dispen- saries. Would you tell us whether you think they could be of use, whether the students trained in the College of Medicine for Chinese would be of any use in charge of these Dispensaries, whether they could be trusted and whether it would pay to establish the Dispensaries?
Dr. Ho KAI.-It would certainly be useful to establish Dispensaries throughout the Colony; first, for the treatment of the poor, and secondly, to report the occurrence of serious cases of disease and epidemics.
Dr. CANTLIE.-Would you open them at Yaumati, Shaukiwan or in Hongkong? Dr. Ho KAI.-Scatter them. But I think it is necessary to have one in Taipingshan.
Dr. CANTLIE. The Nethersole Dispensary was there before?
Dr. Ho KAI.--Yes; and if you have one there you will be able to get a great deal of information of disease in the Colony.
Dr. CANTLIE.-Do you think these Dispensaries would pay the Government ? Would the Chinese pay for advice and medicines ?
Dr. Ho KAI.—No. The moment you put a price on European medicines the Chinese will refuse to take them. If they get the medicines free they will make use of them.
Dr. PRESTON.-But they have to pay for Chinese medicines?
Dr. Ho KAI-Yes; but only a few cash. If supplied with European medicines, they might pay for the bottle, because they could sell the bottle afterwards. In the Tung Wah Hospital most of the medicines are given away free. The well-to-do Chi- nese have given donations of medicines in large quantities throughout the year.
Dr. CANTLIE.-You do not think these dispensaries would contribute anything towards their maintenance? They would have to be maintained wholly at Government expense?
Dr. Ho KAI.-Yes.
Dr. CANTLIE.-About the men in charge. Do you think U I KAI, Yau Tsz Fook and the others could take charge ?
Dr. Ho KAI.-Yes, if they have qualified by going through a five or six years' course at the College of Medicine.
Dr. CANTLIE.-Could you trust these men to take charge of a dispensary at Yau- mati, or do you think he would sell the medicines?
Dr. Ho KAI-You could trust them or you could take security. Get them secured by somebody before they are appointed.
Dr. CANTLIE.-Supposing a man had a place full of drugs you say the Chinese would not pay for them, and it would be therefore impossible for him to sell them ?
Dr. Ho KAI.-The better class Chinese might buy from him-quinine especially.