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392. There are three general hospitals, one smallpox hospital, two maternity hospitals and nine public dispensaries.
They are maintained by subscriptions from the public, by donations from the Chinese General Charities Fund and by direct grants from Government. They are controlled by Chinese Committees who work in close cooperation with the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
393. In the three big hospitals the patient can choose between Western and Chinese methods of treatment, but in the Maternity Hospitals and Dispensaries Western Medicine only is practised. Government Lady Doctors hold gynaecological clinics in each of the dispensaries once or twice a week,
394. Both Hospitals and Dispensaries are subject to inspection by the Government Medical Department. There are four officers of the Department whose duty it is to visit the various institutions and to give advice and assistance. These officers work in close touch with the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
THE CHINESE HOSPITALS.
395. The Tung Wah Hospital situated in the centre of the most thickly populated areas in Victoria was first occupied in 1873. The Tung Wah Smallpox Hospital was established in 1902. The Kwong Wah Hospital was built in Kowloon in 1911 as an extension of the Tung Wah. The Tung Wah Eastern Hospital, another branch of the Tung Wah, situated in an open space in the east of Victoria was opened in November, 1929. The Government gave the sites and with grants of money assisted in the erection of the buildings.
396. In administrative control of the four hospitals is the Tung Wah Committee, a body of Chinese gentlemen elected each year by the subscribers.
397. 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.
398. 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 patients.
(b) Maternity benefits and infant welfare by Western methods only.