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57. There is no doubt that this building and the conditions of its work are in many ways unsatisfactory and the Directors of the Tung Wah Hospital have lately made proposals for im- proving the service by installing properly trained nurses, and in other ways bringing it into line with modern methods, so far as the circuinstances permit. Nothing, however, has been actually done so far.
THE CHINESE PUBLIC DISPENSARIES.
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58. The origin of the Chinese Public Dispensaries was movement made in 1904 by certain leading Chinese citizens, especially Messrs. Fung Wa-chun, Lau Chu-pak and Ho Kom. tong, with the help and encouragement of Mr. A. W. Brewin, then Registrar-General. This movement began in the hope of coping with the scandal of the abandonment of dead bodies in the streets.
59. In 1905 two depots were established, the Western and the Eastern. In immediate charge of each depot was a Chinese doctor qualified in Western medicine who was assisted by an English-speaking clerk,
60. In 1909 the Government gave the movement public sup- port and encouragement and the Committee became the Chinese Public Dispensaries Committee under the Chairmanship of the Registrar-General, now the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
61. It was declared at the time that the work of the depots or dispensaries was not hospital work and that the Chinese doctors employed were simply to diagnose disease and not to treat it. However, treatment centres were needed, and treat- ment, commenced in a small way, gradually developed until now the principal function of the dispensaries is medical relief. But in addition to the ordinary work of the polyclinic and dispensary these institutions serve as depots where the poor may apply for assistance in matters connected with :-
(a) The removal of patients to hospital.
(b) Certification as to the cause of death.
(c) Removal of corpses to mortuaries.
(d) Supply of coffins and arrangements for burial.
(e) The registration of births.
( Vaccination.
62. It is worthy of note that as far back as 1896 a Com- mission appointed by Government to advise regarding the Medi- cal Department recommended the establishment under Govern- ment control of dispensaries in different parts of Victoria and Kowloon. However, none were built and the Chinese Public Dispensaries to-day occupy the positions which under other cir- cumstances would have been filled by departmental institutions.
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63. There are now nine Chinese Public Dispensaries, five on the island of Hong Kong and four in Kowloon. The two original institutions have Chinese maternity hospitals adjacent to them, the Tsan Yuk Hospital and the Wanchai Maternity Hospital. The Government will take over the entire responsibi- lity of the Tsan Yuk Hospital as from the 1st. January, 1934.
64. Two of the Dispensaries are still housed in rooms attached to temples. Another, that at Aberdeen, consists of two rented shops temporarily adapted for the purpose. Gradually up-to-date buildings are taking the place of the temporary ones. The Dispensaries at Shaukiwan and Wanchai are excellent build- ings of their kind, as are those on the Kowloon side at Yaumati and Kowloon City.
65. This year has been marked by a general increase of patients in the dispensaries. Equipment has been improved and new instruments purchased. Besides instruments for small Lainor operations two of the institutions have their own micros- copes. It is hoped that in the near future all will be provided with microscopes which are very necessary for diagnosing and differentiating the malaria cases which form such a large per- centage of those attending.
66. Sick persons too serious for outpatient treatment were transported to hospitals by means of ambulances.
67. There has been a slight decrease in the patients at Aberdeen. This, however, can be only temporary; and is entirely due to local business conditions.
68. As mentioned before, once a week at each of the Dis- pensaries a gynaecological clinic is held by one of the Govern- ment Lady Medical Officers. In some there are two clinics a week.
69. Situated in the most thickly populated districts they fulfil a most useful purpose. not only in the treatment of disease but also as foci for the spread of knowledge concerning the cause of disease, and as the means of spread of the value of Western drugs and methods both in prevention and cure. During the year very good propaganda work was done by four street orators appointed by the Committee.
70. Last but not least, each dispensary has a room attached to it where dead bodies can be received for transport to the mortuaries preliminary to burial. Coffins are provided free. This does much to prevent the dumping of bodies on the street.
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