46.
1937 1936
C 24 Vaccinations.
876 532
47. Two wards have been set aside (one male and female) for patients who are able to make some payment but who cannot afford a private room. The charge in these wards is $1.40 per day including food and medicine. Each patient can, if he desires, bring in an attendant to help in looking after him. There are fourteen beds in the Male Ward and eight in the Female.
48. There are twenty-four small private wards where the inclusive fee per day is $3.00. The wards are popular.
49. A ward of twelve beds has been reserved for the treatment of opium addicts. During the year 430 patients were treated. The course of treatment is usually complete within fourteen days. The cost is defrayed by Government.
The treatment consists of autogenous serum injections and general stimulants.
50. Deaths in 1937 numbered 2,262. A large proportion of these (853) died within 24 hours of admission. 683 bodies were brought in for burial.
51. An eye clinic was started in September and 118 cases were treated. This clinic is held every Wednesday afternoon.
52. From 11th August to 9th September a ward was set aside for cholera convalescent cases which were transferred from the Infectious Diseases Hospital.
THE WANCHAI OR EASTERN MATERNITY HOSPITAL.
53. This hospital is run in conjunction with the Eastern Dispensary. It is in charge of a Western-trained Chinese Doctor and continues to provide most satisfactory and efficient service for this densely populated district.
54. The total number of beds is 31, and the number of admissions 907. There were three maternal deaths during the year.
THE CHINESE PUBLIC DISPENSARIES.
55. The origin of the Chinese Public Dispensaries was a 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.