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Medical men, like others, require leave occasionally, and for the next two years I trust, if permitted, both myself and Dr. THOMSON will be granted leave home so that the Department will be one short for that time, if we are to have a rest. I I may mention that I am now doing my 16th consecutive summer in the tropics without any change.
For these reasons, therefore, I trust His Excellency may be induced to favour my suggestion, and if, as I presume it must be, it is referred home, to give it his approval.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
J. BELL,
Acting Principal Civil Medical Officer.
The Honourable
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
Appendix III.
No. 218.
SIR,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 10th June, 1901.
I have the honour to inform you that the Acting Principal Civil Medical Officer has reported that, in his opinion, the appointment of another Assistant Surgeon, to be attached permanently to the Medical Department, is a pressing necessity.
2. Great difficulty has been experienced during the present year in obtaining tem- porary assistance, and, in view of the danger that, for many years to come, plague and small-pox will probably be epidemic in this Colony, one officer will nearly always be required to attend to the Infectious Hospital for the greater part of the year.
3. The necessity for attendance on the wives and families of Government servants has increased with the increase of the subordinate staff in the various departments.
4. A considerable addition to the work of the Medical Department is occasioned by the prevalence of malaria in the New Territory, and in non-epidemic times it will always be possible to keep an officer usefully employed on such works. Moreover, as the result of the newer methods of observation in connection with malaria and other diseases, the Assistant Superintendent of the Hospital has his time very fully occupied and is no longer available for outside work as was formerly the case.
5. In view of these facts, I am of opinion that the time has come when another Medical Officer must be appointed, and I hope that, if you approve of my proposal, it may be possible for the officer selected to leave for this Colony at an early date.
6. The salary and house allowance will be the same as those granted to the Second and Third Assistant Surgeons, together with exchange compensation on salary.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
HENRY A. BLAKE,
The Right Honourable J. CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,
Governor.
&c.,
fc.,
&c.
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