I intend to appoint a Chinese trained in Western medical science to reside at the Tung Wa Hospital and to treat any patients who may desire to be treated by him. You must understand that if a patient prefers Chinese treatment, no one is to prevent him from having it. But if, on the other hand, he desires to receive European treatment, a medical man will be resident in the hospital who can treat him. I feel sure I can rely upon your explaining the position to the Chinese community or kaifong for whom you are acting.
I am quite aware that Chinese are very conservative and are not in favour of change. It is not improbable, therefore, that many will still continue to be treated by the Chinese doctors in the hospital, but it is not at the same time unlikely that some will ask to have the benefit of the advice and treatment of the doctor trained in Western medical science. In any case, I shall feel that I have done my best to give all classes of the community an equal chance of being treated according to methods, which I, of course, regard as the best, and if they still prefer to adhere to their own doctors, they cannot say they have not been afforded an opportunity of having what I am bound to regard as better treatment.
I am very glad to learn from a report dated 23rd November from Dr. Atkinson that six patients who were in the Tung Wa Hospital were transferred, at their own request, to the Government Civil Hospital. This leads me to believe that if the benefits of Western treatment are explained to those who cannot be cured by Chinese treatment, and gradually are realised by practical experience, it will not be long before the prejudice which exists among many Chinese against Western medical methods will be minimised, and, as time progresses, entirely removed. In the interests of suffering humanity, such an animation is greatly to be desired, and it will be a source of gratification to me if any action on my part contributes towards such a desirable result.
I am, therefore, anxious that the doctor who is to reside at the hospital should possess an acquaintance with the English tongue sufficient to enable him to explain fully to the patients in the Tung Wa Hospital what the Visiting Surgeon may wish to be told to them regarding their diseases and to act as an interpreter to the Visiting Justices and others who visit the Hospital.
The Colonial Surgeon has hitherto acted as the Visiting Surgeon at the Tung Wa Hospital. But that officer has so many other duties to perform that he cannot give the time and attention required for such an important duty as that of visiting and inspecting the Tung Wa Hospital. I, therefore, hope to be able to appoint an officer whose sole duty will be to visit the Tung Wa Hospital and who will be at all times ready to give the Committee the benefit of his advice and assistance. I trust to be able to secure for this appointment the services of a medical gentleman who is well known to and highly respected by the Chinese community of this Colony.
Now, gentlemen, it has been hinted to me that there may be opposition to the appointment I propose to make. I am at a loss to understand where such opposition is likely to arise, but should it occur, I rely upon you to give it no countenance. If I discover any one trying to stir up trouble, and by misrepresentation creating bad feeling, I will take prompt steps to deal with such a person. Persons of this kind not only get themselves into trouble but give rise to suggestions which, if carried out, would be a burden to the Chinese.
For example, it has been suggested that a poor rate should be charged on the Chinese resident here to support the destitute Chinese sick who should be looked after by the Government. If matters are carried on properly and harmoniously at the Tung Wa, no such rate need be contemplated, and I am certain you gentlemen will do all in your power to promote harmony and to advance the welfare of the hospital and of those who are admitted to it.
I rely upon you, therefore, to co-operate cordially with me. We have exactly the same object in view—the kind and humane treatment of the diseased, and the healing and, if possible, curing of those who are sick unto death. I have had some copies of these remarks printed in Chinese, and they will be given to you for your information.
The deputation then withdrew.
Page 407
only, but which should be also extended to the poor. I therefore intend to appoint a Chinese trained in Western medical science to reside at the Tung Wa and to treat any patients who may desire to be treated by him. You must understand that no com-
If the pulsion of any kind is to be used. patient prefers Chinese treatment, no one is to prevent him from having it. But if, on the other hand, he desires to receive European treatment a medical man will be resident in the hospital who can treat him. I feel sure I can rely upon your explaining the position to the Chinese community or kaifong for whom you are acting. I am quite aware that Chinese are very conserva- tive and are not in favour of change. It is not improbable therefore that many will still continue to be treated by the Chinese doctors in the hospital, but it is not at the same time unlikely that some will ask to have the benefit of the advice and trest- ment of the doctor trained in western medi- cal science. In any case I shall feel that I have done my best to give all classes of the community an equal chance of being treated! according to methods, which I of course re- gard as the best, and if they still pre fer to adhere to their own doctors they cannot say they have not been afforded an opportunity of having what I am bound to regard as better treatment. I am very glad to learn from a report dated 23rd November from Dr. Atkinson that six patients who wore in the Tung Wa Hospital were transferred, at their own request, to the Government Civil Hospital. This leads me to believe that if the benefits of Western treatment are explained to those who cannot be cured by Chinese treatment, and gradually are realised by practical ex- perience, it will not be long before the pre- judice which exists among many Chiness against Western medical methods will be minimised, and, as time progresses, entirely removed. In the interests of suffering humanity such a mnation
Dauni-
is greatly tur be desired. and it will be a source of gratification to me if any action on my part contributes towards such a desirable result. I am therefore anxious that the doctor who is to reside at the hospital should possess an acquaintance with the English tongue' suf- ficient to enable him to explain fully to the
patients
patients in the Tang Wa Hospital what the Visiting Surgeon may wish to be told to them regarding their diseases and to act an ́ interpreter to the Visiting Justices and othera who visit the Hospital. The Colo- nial Surgeon has hitherto acted as the Visiting Surgeon at the Tung Wa Hospital. But that officer has so many other duties to perform that he cannot give the time and attention required for such an import. ant duty as that of visiting and inspecting the Tung Wa Hospital. therefore hope to be able to appoint an officer whose sole duty will be to visit the Tung Wa Hospital and who will be at all times ready to give the Committee the benefit of his advice and assistance. I trust to be able to secure for this appointment the services of a me tical gontleman who is well known to and highly respected by the Chinese sunmunity of this Colony. Now, gentlemen, it has been hinted to mo that there may be op position to the appointment I propose to make. I am at a loss to understand where such opposition is likely to arise, but should it occur, I rely upon you to give it no countenance. If I discover any one trying to stir up trouble, and by mik-representa tion creating bad feeling, I will take prompt steps to deal with such a person. Persons of this kind not only get themselves into trouble but give rise to suggestions which if carried out would be a burden to the Chinese. For example, it has been sug gested that a poor rate should be charged on the Chinese resident here to support the destitate Chinese sick who should be look- ed after by the Government. If matters are carried on properly and harmoniously at the Tung Wa, no such rate need be con templated, and I am certain you gentlemen will do all in your power to promote har. mony and to advance the welfare of the hospital and of those who are admitted to it. I rely upon you, therefore, to co-oper ate cordially with mo. We have exactly the same object in view-the kind and humane treatment of the diseased, and the healing and if possible during of those who are sick unto death. I have had soms' copies of these remarks printed in Chinese, and they will be given tô you for your in- formation.
The deputation then withdrew,
407
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