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sanitary law and to assist them in the disposal of their dead. One of these centres was situated where the Western Dispensary now stands.
In 1908 the present system of control by Committees was started.
The dispensaries gradually extended their functions until now they may be described as centres for the treatment of out-patients, for the assistance of the poor in matters of sickness and of death, for the promotion of the knowledge of hygiene and for health propaganda generally.
The establishment of the Tsan Yuk as a hospital for confinement of poor women was a further extension of this movement. Opened in 1922, it has been a success from its commencement.
The Government Medical Department working in close connexion with the Hon. Secretary for Chinese Affairs has always been interested in the Chinese Public Dispensaries and has done what lay in its power to assist in the success of the movement. Dr. (Mrs.) Hickling, who joined the Government Medical Service in 1923 and continued in it until her death in 1928, was outstanding in her efforts to promote the welfare of the Tsan Yuk, and her portrait hanging in the nurses' dining room is a testimony of the esteem in which she was held. Dr. (Mrs.) Dovey, who in 1928 followed Mrs. Hickling as visiting Lady Medical Officer, continued the good work.
SCHOOL FOR NURSES
The school for nurses was started in 1923, the gynaecological ward and a gynaecological out-patients department were opened in 1925, a Venereal Diseases Clinic was started in 1926, an ante-natal clinic was started in 1928 and this has developed into a maternity and infant welfare clinic...
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During the past seven years, Professor Tottenham has been associated very closely with, if not forming a part of the Western Dispensary which is next door.
At the beginning of the year, the hospital will be handed over as a free gift to Government and from that date will come under the management of the Medical Department. But it will still work in close co-operation with the Western Dispensary and will continue to function much the same as it has done hitherto.
DR. TSO'S WORK
I have given a short history of the institution in order that you may know the steps leading up to the present position and realize what great progress has been achieved since the beginning of things in 1908. During all this time Dr. Tso has been closely connected with the institution and has fostered its growth. Without him it would not have attained the proud position it now holds. No one will ever know the full extent of the energy he has expended on its behalf. Always sympathetic, always willing to help, he has engendered in the staff a feeling of confidence and has made them realise that their work is appreciated and that any suggestions for the good of the district in general or that institute in particular will have sympathetic consideration.