[xxx]
any possibility of doing so, upon conditions consistent with a due regard for the public health and for the preservation of the lives of the people frequenting it. But I am also of opinion that if the Tung Wa Hospital is to be continued in existence under its present management it can only be done by subjecting it to that continuous, daily, or hourly supervision by duly. qualified Government officers, and that effective control by the Government that Sir RICHARD MACDONNELL undoubtedly contemplated, and on the assurance that such supervision and control would be duly exercised, the Secretary of State was alone induced to sanction its incorporation. Sir R. G. MACDONNELL clearly foresaw that unless the Chinese management was closely and continuously watched, the Tung Wa, however favourably it might start into existence, would soon become as dirty, as crowded, as dangerous, and as great a nuisance as the "I Ts'z." The results have justified his foresight, and whatever the state of the Tung Wa to-day may be, after Dr. ATKINSON's and Dr. Lowsox's complaints have called attention to it, it was in 1894 in a most insanitary condition, overcrowded, badly ventilated, filthy, without the most necessary appliances, and a grave source of danger to the Colony. If it is now in a much better state it is because of the close supervision exercised over it since 1894.
37. The Hospital needs enlargement to meet the growing needs of the population. The Chinese population has increased from 115,564 in 1872, when the Tung Wa was opened, to about 240,000 in 1896. Proper provision is necessary for the division of the poor who take refuge in it for a few days or a few weeks until they can get work or be sent to their native places, and for the complete segregation of the sick who are suffering from infectious diseases from the sick who are not so affected. Separate accommodation should also be provided for those who are simply brought there to die from those who are brought there for treatment and with the hope of being cured. These are matters which will involve expense in the way of reconstruction and Appendix enlargement, but the corporation has ample funds in hand, house property and cash. aggregating in value about $240,000 to $250,000; but I am of opinion that the Government should, whenever necessary, afford reasonable financial assistance. For the purpose of enforcing the separation of the sick from the dying, of the infectious from the non-infectious cases, and of keeping a record of diseases and of deaths and their causes, a resident medical man is absolutely necessary, and the expense should be borne by the Government. Such officer might be a Chinese trained in Western medical science, but he should also be in the performance of his duties under the close and constant supervision of the Visiting Surgeon, or of some competent Medical Officer.
pp. 65 and
36,
38. To prevent the Chinese, who are wholly indifferent to matters of drainage, ventilation, and sanitation generally, from allowing the Hospital to drop back into the state of filth from which the place has just been rescued, there should be a Resident European Superintendent or Steward, with the training and knowledge of a Sanitary Inspector, to see that all sanitary precautions are taken, and all rules as to cleanliness and ventilation are observed. This officer should not be permitted to interfere with the management or the treatment of the patients, or to give orders, but should be required to observe and report, so that the Government may be able effectively to interfere at the first sign of any neglect, or of any disobedience of the Rules or Bye-laws which should be made by the Government (1) for securing the classification and separation of the inmates; (2) that there are no discharges from the Hospital unless those certified by the resident medical officer who has been trained in modern medical science; (3) the looking after the bedding and clothing; (4) the keeping of the proper records; (5) the maintenance of the sanitary condition of the buildings and premises; (6) the prevention of overcrowding, &c., &c., &c. The Principal Army Medical Officer states--evidence page 70--"There should be regulations similar to what we have in our own hospitals where everything is done in accordance with rules and nothing is left to the whims of the attendants."