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continue to operate in the same manner as before the plague. There must be a proper diagnosis of cases according to western medical practice and careful and accurate mortality schedules kept. Fortunately, the majority report of the Commission recommended the continuance of the Hospital, though it would be necessary to appoint a western trained doctor as a member of the staff.
On the occasion of an official visit of the Tung Wah Hospital Committee at Government House in December, 1896, the Governor set forth his views on the Hospital.
I am especially glad to observe that the three members of the committee who are entrusted with the management of its financial affairs and upon whom the chief share of the executive falls are gentlemen who have been long connected with Hong Kong and possess a knowledge of English. I trust that this is a sign that the Corporation as represented by the Committee is prepared to take steps to improve the present condition of the hospital. That such an improvement is necessary, I am fully convinced.*
He announced that he was about to appoint a Steward for the Hospital whose responsibility would be to establish sanitary and clean conditions, commenting that this "should stop complaints as to unclean hospital clothing and bedding and unwashed and unshaven patients". He reassured the committee that he didn't wish to interfere with Chinese medical treatment but that he believed patients ought to be able to have a choice regarding the type of treatment they received - Chinese or Western. He pointedly remarked that some members of the Committee were in the practice of consulting western trained doctors. Why then should not the poor have the same chance? To give them this opportunity he would appoint a Chinese trained in Western medicine to reside at the Hospital. He encouraged the Committee by saying, "I feel sure you can explain this to the Chinese community or Kaifong for whom you are acting." He then shook a firm stick.
It has been hinted to me that there may be opposition to these appointments I intend to make. If I find anyone trying to stir up trouble, and by means of misrepresentation create bad feeling, I will take prompt steps to deal with such a person. He ended the visit of the deputation on a more positive note, expressing his confidence that the Committee would do everything
* Hong Kong Telegraph, Dec. 4, 1896.
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continue to operate in the same manner as before the plague. There must be a proper diagnosis of cases according to western medical practice and careful and accurate mortality schedules kept. For- tunately, the majority report of the Commission recommended the continuance of the Hospital, though it would be necessary to appoint a western trained doctor as a member of the staff.
On the occasion of an official visit of the Tung Wah Hospital Committee at Government House in December, 1896, the Governor set forth his views on the Hospital.
I am especially glad to observe that the three members of the committee who are entrusted with the management of its finan- cial affairs and upon whom the chief share of the executive falls are gentlemen who have been long connected with Hong Kong and possess a knowledge of English. I trust that this is a sign that the Corporation as represented by the Committee is pre- pared to take steps to improve the present condition of the hospital. That such an improvement is necessary, I am fully convinced.*
He announced that he was about to appoint a Steward for the Hospital whose responsibility would be to establish sanitary and clean conditions, commenting that this "should stop complaints as to unclean hospital clothing and bedding and unwashed and un- shaven patients". He reassured the committee that he didn't wish to interfere with Chinese medical treatment but that he believed patients ought to be able to have a choice regarding the type of treatment they received Chinese or Western. He pointedly re- marked that some members of the Committee were in the practice of consulting western trained doctors. Why then should not the poor have the same chance. To give them this opportunity he would appoint a Chinese trained in Western medicine to reside at the Hospital. He encouraged the Committee by saying, "I feel sure you can explain this to the Chinese community or Kaifong for whom you are acting." He then shook a firm stick.
It has been hinted to me that there may be opposition to these appointments I intend to make. If I find anyone trying to stir up trouble, and by means of mis-representation create bad feel- ing, I will take prompt steps to deal with such a person. He ended the visit of the deputation on a more positive note, ex- pressing his confidence that the Committee would do everything
* Hong Kong Telegraph, Dec. 4, 1896.
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