( 21 ).
On sanitary grounds it, would be quite satisfactory to have the water conveyed in taps ?—Yes.
THE PRESIDENT-In addition to the structural alterations carried out under your supervision, are there any other alterations you think should be carried out with a view to improve the Hospital ?--I have been asked before as to providing additional accommoda- tion. These two wards in themselves-the two original wards-are as good as you can wish for in any hospital. They are well built, well lighted, well ventilated.
You have been frequently through the Hospital. Is it kept in a good condition? -The Hospital has always been kept clean. I speak from sixteen years' experience of it. The drainage was insanitary before, but now it is in perfect order. (Letter of See Appen 14th January read.) The estimated cost for these extra wards is $20,000.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-Are these two extra wards essentially necessary?
THE PRESIDENT--That is a question we will have to go into. We ought to ascertain whether patients are turned away for want of accommodation. The Colonial Surgeon has reported that the wards are overcrowded, but inquiries should be made whether the overcrowding is temporary or continuous.
WITNESS--Dr. ATKINSON also complained of insufficient accommodation for the attendants. They used to sleep in the wards, many of them. We have built over the laundry outside the original contract. This will accommodate a considerable number of persons, and there is no reason why the old mortuary building and coffin store should not be turned into attendants' accommodation.
Mr. THOMSON--Will the Chinamen sleep there?--They used to sleep on the top of the coffins when it was used as a coffin store. You will see from these plans there is a square occupied by the old small-pox wards. I believe the patients have been removed from there, and it is prohibited from being used in future. I believe these wards have been used since for patients, not small-pox patients, and are being used still. They are certainly not buildings suitable for sick persons. I think the patients there are mostly persons suffering from lung diseases. The wards are built in the form of rows of small cubicles with only one door and no window, and when the doors are shut they are quite dark. They could not be modified or improved. There are six rows of them, and
every other row is a basement, and would not be allowed to be occupied even by healthy persons under the Public Health Ordinance.
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Dr. Ho KAI--What recommendation would you make?--If they want further accommodation there is room and I made a rough plan some time ago when asked by the old Committee before the contract was signed in 1895 showing two new wards on the site of the old small-pox wards. These are the two wards mentioned in the letter of 14th January. They would cost $20,000, and would accommodate 64 persons. That See Appen- is the only place they have for the future extension of the Tung Wa Hospital. If they want more accommodation there is room, and they can build either one or two wards.
You said there was a latrine not built, and a detached block required. In your opinion, is it necessary in order to make the sanitary arrangements of the Hospital com- plete that that detached block and latrine should be built?—I do; leaving out of the question the old small-pox wards. I am of opinion that these small-pox wards should not be used for sick people in their present state. The latrine you speak of is meant for all the attendants. It is on another site, but Dr. ATKINSON objected to it because it was next the inspection ward. Dr. ATKINSON thought it best to put it on the site shown on the plan, but that does not meet the wishes of the present Committee at all.
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