CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 466

COPY

Bop, mly

for 2-7

Gentlemen,

Sir Douglas Maclagan to Crown Agents.

Edinburgh,

459 448

6th April 1898.

duly

A

I was day before yesterday favoured with your letter of 2nd April relative to the case of James Ritchie, Police Constable of Hong Kong, and in reply thereto, for the information of the Secretary for the Colonies, I have to state as follows. I need not say how much I regret to learn Ritchie's present condition and how much I regret that I did not make a special examination of his eyes. I have looked up my rough notes as to his case, but do not find therein anything suggestive of mischief about the eye, when I examined him on 30th October

when he appeared to be a most healthy man and quite fitted for the work of a Police Constable. Whilst I express this regret

I have to say I do not think that I probably would have

detected anything specially wrong with the eyesight. With regard to the questions put by the Hon. Capt.-Superintendent of Police, I have to state, that in my opinion there is no special likelihood of the right eye becoming affected, although the left eye is not likely to improve of itself. Undoubtedly the eye might be operated upon, but in my opinion the chances of a good result are very remote.

I am &c.,

(Sga) Douglas Maclagan,

Knt. M.D.

ABB