Enclosure to
Sir,
Hong Kong
22nd November 1886
In compliance with the request of His Excellency the Governor as conveyed in your letter of 3rd November, we beg to inform you that we have enquired into the matters referred to in that communication and also into the subject of your letters of the 19th and 19th instant and have to report as follows.
It appears that the sole charge of the Hospital devolves on the Medical Superintendent, presuming that the appointment of the Assistant Superintendent is considered temporary, so that in case of urgency or requiring operative interference, the Medical Superintendent has no one connected with the Hospital to whom he can appeal for assistance or with whom he can 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 Agnew 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 Wharry to consult him in cases of importance.
We are informed that the Hospital at present accommodates 82 patients, that, in addition to admissions directly connected with the Colony, all accidents occurring among the Merchant Shipping are received; that Dr Wharry, in addition to his charge of the Hospital, has to attend all Inquests, perform all Post Mortem examinations deemed necessary, give evidence in the Supreme Court and before the Magistrates requiring Medical investigation, visit Tranchai weekly, and moreover in cases...