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15. I have reported that the ground floor verandah of that block on the east side have been entirely removed and replaced by bamboo blinds. An additional sweeper has been appointed to allow of more careful attention to the shaving of patients. The "epidemic of commodes" has disappeared, commodes being only placed beside occasional patients who are unable to walk and being emptied at once when used. An additional nightsoil coolie has been appointed at my request to secure the efficient and continuous cleansing of these. For the use of patients generally, commodes are placed in the bathrooms attached to the wards of the West Block, and behind screens in the back verandahs of the North Block, and are frequently cleansed. In the beginning of February, all the wards were thoroughly cleaned and colour-washed.
A large new kitchen to be used exclusively for the infusion of Chinese medicines has been erected, and is ready for occupation. The old kitchen is to be re-constructed and will be entirely available for ordinary cooking purposes.
The whole floor above the Receiving Ward has been re-constructed into roomy, suitable quarters for the staff of native practitioners, while the room adjoining the central hall which most of them formerly occupied has been partitioned into a red room and study for Dr. Chang. Quarters formerly occupied by one of them beside the Ko Fung wards are now to be used as private wards, and the former private ward beside the north gateway has been assigned to Dr. Chung's assistant, about to be mentioned. Further, the room