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8. Originally intended for the accommodation and treatment of those Chinese whose fears and prejudices against Western medicine prevented their applying for relief at the Government Hospitals these institutions at a later period introduced and encouraged scientific methods. As prejudice disappeared and confidence grew the demand for Western medicine increased until now the number being treated by this method equals that which still pins its faith to the plasters and decoctions of the herbalists.
9. The activities of the Chinese Hospitals include:-
(a) The care of the sick and treatment by Western methods or Chinese methods according to the wish of the patient.
(b) Maternity benefits and infant welfare by Western
methods only.
(c) Vaccination.
(d) Health propaganda.
(e) Assistance to the destitute.
(f) The provision of coffins for and the burial of the
dead.
10. Much progress has been made in all departments of the hospitals during the last few years. These improvements include:-
(a) The appointment of University graduates as full
time Resident Medical Officers.
(b) The foundation of training schools for female
nurses.
(c) Extensions and improvements in the male nursing
section.
(d) The establishment of clinical laboratories.
(e) The provision of radiological apparatus.
(f) The establishment of up-to-date operating theatres.
(g) The purchase of motor ambulances.
(h) Improvements in the accommodation for patients.
(i) Improvements in quarters for the staff.
11. Today each of the three Chinese Hospitals has a good operating theatre where operations, many of which are major in character, are performed daily.
12. In charge of the medical side (Western) of each hospital is a Medical Superintendent, a graduate of the University, whose salary is paid by Government, and who is a member of the Medical Department.
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THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL.
13. The Tung Wah was established in 1870 as a Chinese free hospital to be managed by Chinese Directors under Govern- ment supervision. It has been added to from time to time. It has now 438 beds of which 24 are for maternity cases.
There has been lately a decrease in the number of available beds due to some of the blocks having been pulled down to make way for an entirely new and up-to-date building.
14. Originally the Hospital was in a wide open space; but the houses have grown round it, and it is now in one of the most thickly populated districts of the Colony.
15. As the Directors are reluctant to refuse admission to any deserving case; and as the Colony does not possess sufficient infirmary accommodation for all its decrepits, the Tung Wah is not only a hospital but a place of refuge for the old and infirm, and has provided shelter, food, and medical attendance for many sufferers who would otherwise have perished without attention.
16. The staff consists of a Chinese Senior Medical Officer, whose salary is paid by the Government, and three Resident Medical Officers, whose salaries are paid by the Hospital. There are in addition a number of Chinese Herbalists who practise Chinese Medicine for the benefit of those who prefer that treatment.
17.
Inpatients (General).
Western
treatment
Chinese treatment
Total
1932
1933
5,918
5,086
5,588
4,491
11.004
10,079
18.
Inpatients (Maternity).
Still-births
1932
1933
1,560 1,600
67
83
19. There were 890 operations including many major ones.
20.
Out-patients (General).
Western treatment
Chinese treatment
Total
1932
84,095
185,273
1933
28,443
179,821
219,368 208,264
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