the Boskital..
"These figures show unmistakably that the Colony with the growth of its medical requirements have also increased, and the work of the Civil Hospital has year by year become more onerous,
In July 1880, Governor Hennessy appointed Mr Marques to assist me, in June 1883 he was removed from Civil Hospital, and the sole charge of Civil and Small pox Hospitals reverted to me, Mr Marques merely relieving me of the outside Post Mortem examinations and Medico-legal work, and a short weekly visit to Stanley. My official report for 1885 gives some idea of the work of the Civil Hospital).
The concluding paragraph of the Colonial Surgeon's report for 1885 is "the work now being done by each (two surgeons) is fully one man's work and at times a little more.
From the foregoing conclusions are to be drawn.
1. The sole charge of the Civil and Small pox Hospital, &c., with the medico-legal work inseparable from the Hospital practice, and the outside medico-legal work connected with the Public Mortuary as well, are more than one medical officer can carry on for any length of time."
2. My increase of salary in 1883 was (as clearly stated in C.S.L.No.999) granted on condition that I took sole charge of the Civil Hospital, no other stipulation being communicated to me.
The fact that the letter which notified me of the increase of pay, also relieved me of the outside medico-legal work proves conclusively that the increase of pay was not granted for the performance of outside medico-legal duties and this view is corroborated by the fact that since June 1883, I have never been called upon to do this work; the Head of the Department always seeking outside assistance when it had to be provided for.
Letter No. 999 does not state whether the Secretary of State when granting the increase of salary intended me to retain the charge of the Small Pox Hospital, which, however I have always had.
With this preface I now come to the matter about to be submitted for your decision.
On the 4th November, Mr Marquez, who was acting as locum tenens, was taken ill with symptoms of abscess of liver. Mr. Iordan, Mr Ayres, and the Head of the Department saw him, and asked the Government on November 8th to procure the services of a Military Surgeon for the medico-legal work for the next few days, should there be any.
The Acting Governor, apparently misled by this request into the belief that Mr Marques' illness was trifling, and that the extra work to be provided for was nothing serious.
On Saturday night, 6th November, I was informed that no Military Surgeon being available, His Excellency expected me to perform the medico-legal duties for the short time that...
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Daury