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MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (continued)
Sanitary Buildings under the aegis of the Principal Civil Medical Officer. These meetings were well-attended by the Medical Officers of the Government Medical Services and the Chinese practitioners, but very few of the British practitioners attended. There was considerable opposition, especially at first, from the European practitioners owing to their belief that public enlightenment on this subject and the provision of free treatment would reduce the volume of their practice. We understood also that they resented the idea that recognised brothels should be abolished, as the "contract practice" of attending the inmates together with the issue of certificates of freedom from infection is said to be a lucrative part of their practice. There are, of course, responsible members of the medical profession in Hong Kong who do not participate in this. The profession as a whole were hostile to the work of the Commission. Before the end of our visit, we were informed that the hostility was greatly reduced.
The Commissioners had two interviews with His Excellency, the Governor. The first was spent in persuading him to convene the first Conference, the last in laying before him our Recommendations.
To the surprise of the Commissioners, His Excellency's opposition was practically withdrawn at the final interview, and he intimated that he saw no reason against carrying into effect the provisions for free diagnosis and treatment or to a careful campaign of public enlightenment.
With reference to the Port Clinic, His Excellency instructed the P.C.M.O. to confer with the Commissioners before they left as to the details of arrangements for the Port Clinic and promised to communicate with the Parliamentary Secretary of the Colonial Office, telling him that it would be opened almost immediately. He also instructed the P.C.M.O. to take steps to add a V.D. officer to his staff and stated that the necessary financial provision would be made at the next Council meeting. It was agreed that £800 p.a. and a house would be given.
In response to a request for the formation of a body to organise propaganda, His Excellency opposed the formation of a semi-official organisation representative of the various voluntary bodies in the Colony. He agreed that the Colonial Secretary, the P.C.M.O., and the Director of Education could act jointly in supervising the campaign of public enlightenment. He agreed that this Committee should take over the remainder of the
HONG KONG
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HEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (continued).
Sanitary Buildings under the aegis of the Principal Civil Medical Officer. These meetings were well- attended by the Medical Officers of the Government Medical Services and the Chinese practitioners, but very few of the British practitioners attended. There was considerable opposition, especially at first, from the European practitioners owing to their belief that public enlightenment on this subject and the pro- vision of free treatment would reduce the volume of their practice. We understood also that they resented the idea that recognised brothels should be abolished, as the contract practice" of attending the inmates together with the issue of certificates of freedom from infection is said to be a lucrative part of their practice. There are, of course, responsible members of the medical pro- fession in Hong Kong who do not participate in this. The profession as a whole were hostile to the work of the Commission. Before the end of our visit we were informed that the hostility was greatly reduced.
Π
GOVERNOR'S ATTITUDE.
The Commissioners had two interviews with le Excellency, the Governor. The first was spent in persuading him to convene the first Conference, the last in laying before him our Recommendations.
Re Free Treatment.
To the surprise of the Commissioners His Excellency *g opposition was practically withdrawn at the final inter- view and he intimated that he saw no reason againet carrying into effect the provisions for free diagnosis and treatment or to a careful campaign of public enlightenment.
Re Port Clinic.
With reference to the Port Clinic, His Excellency instructed the P.C.M.0. to confer with the Commissioners before they left as to the details of arrangements for the Port Clinic and promised to communicate with the Parliamentary Secretary of the Colonial Office telling
He him that it would be opened almost immediately. also instructed the P.O.M.O. to take steps to add a Y.p. officer to his staff, and stated that the necessary financial provision would be made at the next Council meeting. It was agreed £800 p.a. and a house would be given.
Re Propaganda.
In response to a request for the formation of a body to organise propaganda, Eis Excellency opposed the formation of a semi-official organisation representative
He agreed of the various voluntary bodies in the Colony. that the Colonial Secretary, the P.0.M.O. and the Director of Education could act jointly in supervising the campaign of public enlightenment. He agreed that this Committee should take over the remainder of the
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