- C 21
55.
There are 30 iron beds and a similar number of trestle beds which may be used in an emergency.
56. Forty-seven cases of smallpox were admitted during the year. Eighteen died.
57. A few cases of leprosy are temporarily isolated in this Hospital while arrangements are being made for their removal to proper leper asylums.
THE CHINESE PUBLIC DISPENSARIES.
58. 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.
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 support 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 treatment, 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.
(f) Vaccination.
62. It is worthy of note that as far back as 1896 a Commission, appointed by Government to advise regarding the Medical Department, recommended the establishment under Government control of dispensaries in different parts of Victoria
- C 21
་་
55.
There are 30 iron beds and a similar number of trestle beds which may be used in an emergency.
56. Forty-seven cases of smallpox were admitted during the year. Eighteen died.
57. A few cases of leprosy are temporarily isolated in this Hospital while arrangements are being made for their removal to proper leper asylums.
THE CHINESE PUBLIC DISPENSARIES.
58. 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.
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 support 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.
(f) Vaccination.
62. It is worthy of note that as far back as 1896 a Commission, appointed by Government to advise regarding the Medical Department, recommended the establishment under Government control of dispensaries in different parts of Victoria
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