CO129-229 - Acting Governor Marsh & Public Offices - 1886 [11-12] — Page 397

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

394

Had I attempted Dr. Marguer's work, I must have neglected my own, and frequent complaints from the patients at the Civil Hospital would have been as harassing to me as disagreeable to the Government.

From Dr. Marguer's symptoms on the 5th and strong probability of his having abscess of the liver and requiring a locum to undertake his duties for a lengthened period, and this knowledge made me more unwilling to do so.

The medico-legal work is a heavy responsibility, involving the administration of justice, and sometimes the question of life or death, depending on its proper performance.

It is true that in years gone by I performed all the medico-legal duties in addition to my work, but Dr. Breen and Thompson, the heads of the Naval and Military Medical Departments, who were asked to report on this subject in November 1880, stated that this was more than one could be expected to do.

The Hospital is larger now by 15 beds, and the medico-legal work has largely increased from 103 bodies examined in 1881 to 184 in 1887.

Since June 1883, when Dr. Marguer was appointed to the charge of the medico-legal duties, provision has had to be made for his work on several occasions, but the Government have always provided for it without any reference to me, and only for the first time have I been called upon to do it.

The condition on which Lord Derby granted me an increase of pay, viz., sole charge of the Civil Hospital, I have fulfilled, as the accommodation has been increased from 1100 to 1570 in 1885, and the number of patients from 983 to 1178.

It is extremely unfortunate, on my account as well as the Government's, that my suggestion to let Jordan apply to the Military Staff was unsuccessful, but I am not aware that efforts were made in any other direction to procure assistance.

The return of Dr. Clyres, however, will doubtless relieve the pressure now due.

I trust that this explanation will be satisfactory, and that Mr. Marsh will accept my earnest assurance of my capacity.

My letter of the 7th instant should, I wish it had been differently expressed, but it was written hurriedly on receipt of the Governor's intimation late on Saturday evening, and after a much disturbed night, I dispatched it without revision on Sunday morning, the matter being urgent.

I have now in Hospital 79 sick of all nationalities, some of whom are in a critical condition.

The never-ending struggle with disease and death on behalf of these sufferers, carried on as it is unaided, cannot fail occasionally to induce a frame of mind that may be considered very unfit for official correspondence.

Some of my letters may be found very wanting, and nobody is more conscious of their shortcomings than myself, and nobody regrets them more.

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394 Had I attempted Dr. Marguer's work, I must have neglected my own, and frequent complaints from the patients at the Civil Hospital would have been as harassing to me as disagreeable to the Government. From Dr. Marguer's symptoms on the 5th and strong probability of his having abscess of the liver and requiring a locum to undertake his duties for a lengthened period, and this knowledge made me more unwilling to do so. The medico-legal work is a heavy responsibility, involving the administration of justice, and sometimes the question of life or death, depending on its proper performance. It is true that in years gone by I performed all the medico-legal duties in addition to my work, but Dr. Breen and Thompson, the heads of the Naval and Military Medical Departments, who were asked to report on this subject in November 1880, stated that this was more than one could be expected to do. The Hospital is larger now by 15 beds, and the medico-legal work has largely increased from 103 bodies examined in 1881 to 184 in 1887. Since June 1883, when Dr. Marguer was appointed to the charge of the medico-legal duties, provision has had to be made for his work on several occasions, but the Government have always provided for it without any reference to me, and only for the first time have I been called upon to do it. The condition on which Lord Derby granted me an increase of pay, viz., sole charge of the Civil Hospital, I have fulfilled, as the accommodation has been increased from 1100 to 1570 in 1885, and the number of patients from 983 to 1178. It is extremely unfortunate, on my account as well as the Government's, that my suggestion to let Jordan apply to the Military Staff was unsuccessful, but I am not aware that efforts were made in any other direction to procure assistance. The return of Dr. Clyres, however, will doubtless relieve the pressure now due. I trust that this explanation will be satisfactory, and that Mr. Marsh will accept my earnest assurance of my capacity. My letter of the 7th instant should, I wish it had been differently expressed, but it was written hurriedly on receipt of the Governor's intimation late on Saturday evening, and after a much disturbed night, I dispatched it without revision on Sunday morning, the matter being urgent. I have now in Hospital 79 sick of all nationalities, some of whom are in a critical condition. The never-ending struggle with disease and death on behalf of these sufferers, carried on as it is unaided, cannot fail occasionally to induce a frame of mind that may be considered very unfit for official correspondence. Some of my letters may be found very wanting, and nobody is more conscious of their shortcomings than myself, and nobody regrets them more.
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394 Had I attempted Dr. Marques work. I must have neglected my own, and frequent complaints from the fratients us the lowvil Hospital, would have harassing to me as disagreeable to the been as harassing Ex cui! From D. Margure symptoms on the sth and strong probability of his having-- the liver and requiring a locum to 6th there was abscess of for a lengthened feriad, and, this knowledge made mo more unwilling to undertake, his duties whe the me dico legal work is a heavy responsibility, the administration of justice, and sometimes the its proper per question of life Or death, depending It is true that in Om years gone by I ferformed. ourn. all the medica- legal duties in addition, to ming work, but Dro Breen and Thompson the heads of the Naval and Melitary Medical Departments who asked to report on this subject in November than stated, that this were 1880, ; was more one could be expected to do. The Acopital is larger then by 15 beds and the medico legal work has largely increased from 103 bodies Mour than it was then by 15 examined in 1881 15 184 in 1887 wat Since June 1883 when Dr Marguer appointed to the charge of the medico legal duties, provision, has had to be made for his work on several, occasions, but the Government have always provided, for it without any reference to me, and only for the first time have I been called, upon to do it The condition on which Lord Derby granted, me an increase of pay, vis; sole charge of the bird Rochital, even now, that I should take though the of accommodation should lead to a larger numb, of patients of patients I have fulfilled, the accommodation mcrease in the meantime, having been increased from beds, and the humber of patients from. P3 to 98 in 1881 to 1570 in 1885. as 1100 It is extremely unfortunate, on my account the Government that my suggestion. for well at I to Let Jordan to apply to the Military Staff mesucressful: but I am not aware that effo other direction to procure were made in assistan any ) ce, and the Navy might very probably have supplied, an office,. The return. ..of Dr Clyres however, will doubtless relieve the presure. +- now due I trust that this explanation, will be .... satisfactory, and that Mr. Marsh, will, accept my camnest assuran (2) Revollen cy in capacity. wisher that My letter off was my failure to meet La mamily due to phys the 7th instant should wit...- have been differently expressed, but it was written On On Surriedly receipt of 1 Governors intimation, lote Suturday evening and after a much disti night, I dispatched it without revision on Lunday morning, the matter being urgent. nationalities condition I have now in Some of whom Hospital 79 sick of all are in a critical "The never-ending struggle with disease Br behalf of these and death sufferers, carried on at it is unaided, cannot fail occasionally to induce.. mind the frame. of correspond... considered may. very Stence worst for official N of my my letters critically Some be found very wanting tobody is more conscious of their shortcomings than mygerty and nobody regrets them more, but while from the nat of my work I am. likely to be a sury bad
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394

Had I attempted Dr. Marques work. I must

have neglected my

own, and frequent complaints

from the fratients us the lowvil Hospital, would have

harassing to me as

disagreeable to the

been as harassing

Ex cui!

From D. Margure symptoms on the sth and

strong probability of his having-- the liver and requiring a locum to

6th there was abscess of

for a lengthened feriad, and, this knowledge made mo more unwilling to undertake, his duties

whe

• the me

dico legal work is a heavy responsibility,

the administration of justice, and sometimes the

its proper per

question of life

Or

death, depending

It is true that in

Om

years gone by I ferformed.

ourn.

all the medica- legal duties in addition, to ming work, but Dro Breen and Thompson the heads of the Naval and Melitary Medical Departments who

asked to report on this subject in November

than stated, that this

were

1880,

;

was more

one

could be expected to do. The Acopital is larger

then by 15 beds and the medico legal work has largely increased from 103 bodies

Mour

than it was then by 15

examined in 1881 15 184 in 1887

wat

Since June 1883 when Dr Marguer appointed to the charge of the medico legal duties, provision, has had to be made for his work on several, occasions, but the Government have always provided, for it without any reference to me, and only for the first time have I been called, upon to do it

The condition on which Lord Derby granted, me an increase of pay, vis; sole charge of the bird Rochital, even

now,

that I should take

though the of

accommodation should lead to a larger numb, of patients

of patients I have fulfilled, the accommodation

mcrease

in the meantime, having been increased from

beds, and the humber of patients from.

P3 to 98

in 1881 to 1570 in 1885.

as

1100

It is extremely unfortunate, on my account

the Government that my suggestion. for

well

at

I

to Let Jordan to apply to the Military Staff mesucressful: but I am not aware that effo

other direction to procure

were made in assistan

any

)

ce, and the Navy might very probably have supplied, an office,.

The return.

..of

Dr Clyres however, will doubtless relieve the presure.

+-

now due

I trust that this explanation, will be ....

satisfactory, and that Mr. Marsh, will, accept my

camnest assuran (2)

Revollen cy

in capacity.

wisher

that

My letter off

was

my failure to meet La mamily due to phys

the 7th instant should wit...- have been differently expressed, but it was

written

On

On

• Surriedly

receipt of 1 Governors intimation, lote Suturday evening and after a much disti night, I dispatched it without revision on Lunday morning,

the matter being urgent.

nationalities

condition

I have now in

Some of

whom

Hospital 79 sick of all

are in a critical

"The never-ending struggle with disease

Br

behalf of

these

and death

sufferers, carried on at it is unaided, cannot fail occasionally to induce..

mind the

frame. of

correspond...

considered

may.

very

Stence

worst for official N

of my

my letters critically

Some

be found very wanting tobody

is more conscious of their shortcomings than mygerty and nobody regrets them more, but while from

the nat

of my

work I am.

likely to be a

sury

bad

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