See Appen- dix VI.
Ibid.
Ibid.
( 22 )
Mr. HUGH MCCALLUM, Secretary to the Sanitary Board.
The PRESIDENT—Mr. MCCALLUM, you are Secretary of the Sanitary Board ?—Yes.
And during your residence in Hongkong, which extends over seventeen years, you have had from time to time to visit the Tung Wa Hospital?—Yes.
On the 4th April, 1895, you received a letter from the Colonial Secretary instructing you to make a surprise visit to the Hospital ?—I remember receiving that letter. I reported on the 8th April the results of my surprise visit. Since then I have written a memorandum on the subject of the Tung Wa Hospital.
The PRESIDENT--Judging from these reports, I understand you are of opinion that excretal matter should be removed by water from the Hospital ?--Certainly.
And you recommend the introduction of that system into the Tung Wa Hospital ?-- Certainly.
And the abolition of the present system of ordinary hand-carriage ?--Yes.
Mr. WHITEHEAD--This could be done by carrying pipes from the tank in the Hospital?--Simply by erecting proper water-closets.
What expense might that incur ?--I cannot give you even an approximate estimate; it would not be a heavy expense.
Mr. THOMSON-The present system is the same as in any house in the Colony?-- Yes; storing it in out-houses.
How would the dry system suit the Hospital?--It is a big undertaking.
Dr. Ho KAI-The old lavatory or latrines could be used?--Converted into water- closets--certainly.
·
Mr. WHITEHEAD--In these new additions there are no water-closets; they are simply lavatories. There is no urinal or water-closets?--No.
Mr. THOMSON-I think the dry earth system is an excellent one.
Dr. Ho KAI-I agree with Mr. MCCALLUM that the water-closet system should be introduced.
THE PRESIDENT-What about warming the wards. What is your experience of that ?-They have only a small fire place at each end of the ward. If they had a proper stove in the middle it would be sufficient, and the heat would be more evenly distributed.
With regard to verandahs, you are aware, of course, that the Tung Wa Hospital, in addition to treating the sick, has accommodated male destitutes ?—Yes, and they have made use of the verandahs.
Has any action been taken in regard to that recently?—Yes; I think notice has been served upon the Committee prohibiting them from using the verandahs. I served three notices, one to comply with certain bye-laws in connection with the removal of excretal matter, one prohibiting the use of certain basements for the reception of patients, and the other I am not sure about.
The Tung Wa Committee have written to the Registrar General, asking that no more male destitutes should be sent to the Hospital, because notice has been served upon them not to make use of these verandahs. Upon what grounds is the use of the verandahs prohibited ?-It is undesirable to have people going in there beside other people suffering from infectious diseases. It might spread the disease throughout the Colony.