March 1, 1909.1
Hon. Dr, Ho KAI seconded the motion, and trusted that Mr. IRVING would continue to act until the Chairman's return to the Colony. | The motion was carried unanimously, and
Mr. IRVING consented to act as chairman.
The Rev. T. W. PEARCE proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. IRVING for the good work he had done during the period he had acted as
hairman,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. ALICE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. were unfortunate in losing the services of Mr. Phelips, but Was sure that all The annual meeting of the Finance Com- would wish him a pleasant trip to England. mittee of the Alice Memorial, Nethersole, Alcie Certain new instruments were needed at the Memorial Maternity, and Ho Min Ling Hos-hospitals, but in view of the work already done pitals was held at the Alice Memorial Hospital he was sure that it would not be necessary to do in Hollywood Road on the 19th inst. The more than draw the attention of the Chinese Hon. Mr. E. A. Irving (Registrar-General) and other fellow citizens to this fact. presided, and there were also present Dr. R.
The Rev. WELLS proposed the re-election of MacLean Gibson (secretary), Dr. J. C. Thomp- the Hon. Mr. BEEWIN as chairman for the **son, Rev. T. W. Pearce, Rev. H. R. Wells, ensuing year.
Messrs. D. W. (raddock, A. Mackenzie, J.W.. Bonnar, H. R Phelips. S. W. Tso, Choa Leep Chee, Pun Yin. Chun and Hon. Dr. Ho Kai.
Mr. PHELIPS, the treasurer, after explaining the various items contained in the balance sheet, said he regretted that he was compelled to resign his post. Shortly, he was going north on an annual tour, and on the termination of that tour he hoped to proceed on leave of absence. He regretted that he had been unable to give as much time as he would wish to the work of treasurer, but this was impos- sible owing to an increase of work in his own department. He felt grateful to Dr. Gibson for the able assistance that gentleman had given him during the time he acted as treasurer. For about five months the doctor did practically all the work for him. He suggested as his successor Mr. F. M. L. (rawford who, he was informed, had kindly con- sented to act for the ensuing year (applause).
The CHAIRMAN proposed the adoption of the Treasurer's report.
Mr. CHOA LEEP CHEE seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Mr. PHELIPS proposed the election of Mr. Crawford to the position of treasurer for the ensuing year.
The motion was seconded by Mr. MACKENZIE and carried unanimously.
Mr. BONNAR had much pleasure in recording a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring treasurer, and was sure that all regretted that he was going to leave them. He was sure that these present would wish him a pleasant time while on leave, and that they were prepared to thank him for the work he had done, also Mr. Wood who had audited the accounts.
Hon. Mr. IRVING bowed his acknowledgment of the kind remarks and the meeting ended.
The report of the Alice Memorial and Hospitals was as follows”: —
167
attended the College of Medoine and five received their Diplomas. Chung Yik and Mr. Sea Foon, have proceeded Two of these, Mr. Wong. to Edinburgh University to medical studies; both are men of ability and continue their good character and we have every confidence that they will do credit to the Hongkong College of Medicine.
FINANCIAL.
The income for the year has been, general donations, $9,996.03, special donations $1,055, Hospital Sunday $676.74, and the total income (including interest on invested funds)
4,442.56. The working expenses of the hospitals have been curtailed as much as possible, but a debit balance of $1,351 remains to be cleared off during 1909. The hospitals require many new surgical instruments and fittings and we trust that we may soon be in a position to bring our surgical equipment up to the needs of modern surgery. We have specially to thank Mr. Chan Chek U and Mr. Chan Kung U for generously bearing the cost of installing electric light and fitting for the X Rays apparatus into all the hospitals, Dr. G. M. Harston for special donation, and Mrs. Gibson, Paisley, for the proceeds of a sale of work, to provide X Rays. The total amount necessary for an X Ray outfit is in hand and Dr. J. MacIntyre of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary is selecting the most recent apparatus obtainable. Many friends at Home and in the Colony have sent us gifts of bandages, materials for clothing, etc., which are acknowledged later in the report. We would also express our thanks to Hon. A. W. Brewin, Hon. E. A, Irving, Mr hau Siu Ki, Mr. H. R. Phelips, Hon. Treasurer, and Mr. David Wood, Auditor, for their willing help in financial. matters; and to Drs. Jordan, Noble, Forsyth and Belilios for assistance in medical work,
The report on the Alice a emorial Hospital stated:
The
During the year the medical work of the Hospitals has been well maintained. The total number of in-patients has been 068 compared with 1,058 in 1907. of out-patients, new cases 5.135 compared with 16,163 and of out-patient attendances 28,288 compared with 28,285. The decrease in the number of out-patients, indi- vidual cases, is probably due chiefly to the epidemic of Bubonic Plague during the summer months when many families left the Colony. The total surgical dressings in the out- patient departments have been 9.050, nearly double the number dressed in 1906! The increase is chiefly in the number of women and children attending two. Chinese nurses, under the supervision of the Matron, dress the women and children at the Alice & emorial Hospital in a room reserved as a dressing room. While economy is practised, good materials, wool, band ages, etc., are provided, and bearing in mind Work in the Maternity Hospital during 1908 that the majority of the in-patients also require. has been marked by a steady increase in num- surgical dressings, a large annual expenditure bers as may be seen from the figures. We is required to meet the needs of these attended in the year 1908 202 cases as against. cases. In the eye-department there have 126 in 1907. That the cases attended by us, out- been treated, 1,508 out-patients (new cases), side should be fewer is not surprising, the staff Hon. Mr. IRVING said it had given him great and of that number 801 were cases of Trachoma, of Government midwives having increased pleasure to occupy-he would not say to fill-216 in-patients and 159 eye operations per- from 6 to 8. Patients on the other side of the the chair on the present occasion; all the more formed. Special eye cliniques are now held harbour who used to send for us, now send for so, as it allowed him to study with more atten- at the Alice Memorial Hospital on Mondays, midwives recently settled on that side. The hos- tion than he otherwise should have done, the Wednesdays and Fridays at 11a.m., at Nether-pital also has become better known and patients very clear statement of accounts, and the very sole Hospital on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Yan- are more willing to come in. Our patients are clear statement which accompanied them, both mati Dispensary on Thursdays at 2.30 p.m. Out- found amongst all classes of the community, of which were embodied in the report. It door visiting by the senior students under the including the boat people and several times we appeared to him, judging from the figures and supervision of the Superintendent will be begun have been on board junks and sampaus. the statement given that the hospitals, if in Murch, 1909. There are many patients unable hospital serves as a training school for midwives not in altogether flourishing condition, were to pay for medical attendance and too weak to and during the year we have had seven women at any rate proceeding on their course in a
attend at the out-patient room, who would as pupils. They attend regular classes and see way that could not be considered otherwise be benefitted by being visited in their own all the cases in hospital. One passed the than satisfactory. He noticed that the figures homes. Patients residing in an area within the Government examination in June and is now for new patients and indoor patients, as well as following limits, N. Praya, S. aine. Road, E. in Yaumati and two others passed in November. the figures for total attendance, were very much Wyndham Street and Pedder Street, W. As regards the evangelistic work our as they were last year, The revenue also re- Cleverly Street and Tank Lane, who send in great difficulty is that patients are willing mained about the same, about $10,000. These their names before 10 a.m., will be visited the to stay such a very short time in hospital figures were in themselves not unsatisfactory, same day. The Alice Memorial Maternity that they are able to learn very little. Where but it was obvious that a more permanent source Hospital was opened in June, 1904, and year longer stay has been necessary the results have of income was highly desirable. The part of the by year there has been a steady increase been much more cheering. One woman who report which most particularly interested him
in the number of patients treated. The was in hospital very ill for six weeks used to was the maternity work. Speaking as Registrar Government provides maintenance for six ask me to pray with her and seemed to under- General, this, seemed to him a work of supreme pupil-midwives who, after completion of stand much of the doctrine taught her. On importance, He had been appointed by Govern- two years training in the Maternity Hospital, leaving hospital she received further teaching ment chairman of the committee to report on the are examined and their names entered in the and was baptised. Other women whom we have dumping practice, which was very prevalent in Government Register. Eight Chinese midwives been able to keep for longer periods have been Hongkong. It please him to say, however, the have already been placed at various centres in glad to read the books lent them and although habit had been vere largely checked. But the Colony, and working under the supervision we are unable to follow up many of them when had been made quite plaim to him that a very of Dr. Sibree, have this year attended 1.033 they leave hospital, we trust some do carry away large percentage of the bodies thus cast away cases. The total number of midwifery cases in some knowledge of the good news. The Go- were bodies of premature birth children who the Maternity Hospital since the opening has vernment midwives whose work has been super- were thrown into the streets by the ignorance of been. 419, cases attended, at homes by pupil. intended from the hospital have had a very busy parents and the incompetence of midwives. The midwives 233, and cases attended by the Govern year. 1033 cases attended as against 581 last work done by the eight midwives of this hospital ment Midwives 1,825, making a total of 2,477 year is an indication of the way their services was beyond praise; there were something like one midwifery eases treated. It is very gratify are being appreciated. We hope that the few thousand cases in which they had attended women ing to those who by their generosity made cases of puerperal fever in the Colony last year outside, besides 200 in hospital. He thought, such work possible, that the hospital and these is one of the results of their work. however, that there was an enormans work still trained there, have so quickly gained the con- to be done in the direction of leading Chinese to fidence of the Chinese women. Miss Stewart appreciate European midwifery and he thought has had five nurses in the Nethersole Hospital. that time as much as any, was a branch of work The nurses chosen have all had a fair hinese of the hospitals, which deserved the fullest sup-education, so that they are able to read elemen- port of the Chinese. He felt that the Colony tary books; ou Physiology, and Midwifery. owed & debt of thanks in particular to Dr. Sebree. When training of nurses was begun fifteen years for the work she had done in this direction, and ago by the late Mr, Stevens, it was very for other work of hers which had come to difficult to obtain women willing to undertake his notice in connection with the Po Leung such work but now we have many applic Kuk (applause). He thought the committee ants as vacancies occur. Twenty-seven students
|
The Far East is to be visited this year by representatives of more than one Royal House in Europe. Besides the Queen Dowager of Italy who is to visit Japan, a tour in the Far East will be undertaken by Princess Helene of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, & relative of the German Empress, and Prince Harold of Denmark who are to be married on May 1st at Fredenborg Castle, near Copenhagen.