285
whom he may consult. As all references connected with the Establishment pass through the hands of the Colonial Surgeon, it might be supposed that he had duties to perform in the Hospital, but Dr. Ayres informs us that he has nothing to do with the treatment of any of the patients, and that it is not the duty of Dr. Murray to consult him in cases of importance.
We are informed that the Hospital at present accommodates 53 patients, that in addition to admissions directly from the Colony, all accidents occurring among the merchant Shipping are received; that Dr. Murray, the Medical Officer of the Hospital, has to attend all inquests, perform all Post Mortem examinations when necessary, give evidence in the Supreme Court and before the Magistrates when requiring a Medical investigation, visit Manchi weekly, and whenever take charge of small-pox cases in the Civil Hospital.
The question naturally arises, can one Medical Officer, with justice to those whose lives are committed to his care, and regard to his own mental and physical condition, necessarily tried by professional anxiety and climate, be expected to fulfil these multifarious duties unaided? We are of opinion that it is not advisable, with a due regard to the interests at stake, to allow the whole responsibility and charge to devolve on one Medical Officer.
There is no doubt that had the recommendation of the Colonial Surgeon, referred to in our report, 1878, with regard to the appointment of a properly qualified Apothecary been acted upon, two qualified Medical men, as he remarks, would then be attached to the institution, and much of the care and anxiety of the Medical Officer would have been relieved.
We may remark that the present Assistant to the Apothecary is only a member of the Pharmaceutical Society, and consequently not fully qualified.