Sessional_Paper_1895 — Page 596

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Dr. CANTLIE.-About the Health Officer of the Port, do you think it is desirable that he should do nothing else or should have an assistant recognised by the Government?

Dr. Lowson. I think that is a question I cannot give an opinion upon. It is a matter purely for the Government-it is not a medical question at all. But I would say if I were Colonial Surgeon that I should be able to claim that man to go

down to the Hygeia and spend a night there.

Mr. THURBURN.--In fact, you think he should be a paid man of the Government and should not have a private practice?

Dr. Lowson. Well, suppose he was appointed to take charge of everything float- ing, nobody would stand it. Ship's people would not care to have him coming on board as inspecting officer after having been on board the Hygeia to attend small-pox cases, but in matters of emergency it might have to be done.

THE PRESIDENT.-Do you know if there is much medical practice afloat? Dr. Lowson. Yes, must be.

THE PRESIDENT.--And I suppose Dr. BELL does all that now?

Dr. Lowson.-Yes, that is private work, nothing to do with Government. THE PRESIDENT.-Is the nursing staff at the Civil Hospital sufficient? Dr. Lowson.-No; that is taking into consideration the question of leave. Dr. CANTLIE-Would you increase it?

Dr. Lowson. I have already made recommendations in my letter.

Mr. MCCONACHIE.To what extent do the Chinese at present avail themselves of the Civil Hospital?

Dr. Lowson.-I think that is a very badly put question. I could fill up the Civil Hospital in a week if I liked, by simply taking in all who came; but you cannot take in everybody who has got a simple ailment. You must exercise judgment, and keep à certain amount of room for serious cases. You must always have a margin of beds for serious cases, as Dr. AYRES has pointed out there are over 600 Chinese in-patients, and about 3,000 out-patients. In answer to that question I would simply say that if you want to make the Civil Hospital more popular with the Chinese you must provide another medical man, because nothing satisfies these Chinese so much as to have some one who will always talk to them about their cases,--we have no time to go through a large number of out-patients,-you must have another man to do that, and an extra man to dispense medicines, and an extra vote for medicines, and if you are going to take them into the Hospital you will have to provide more accommodation and get more provisions, &c. I don't think it is desirable in the interests of Colonial finance to make the Hospital a workhouse.

Mr. THURBURN.-At present, the Civil Hospital is nearly always full?

Dr. Lowson. The private wards are full, the other wards are not so full; but the numbers fluctuate. I have seen the Hospital as full as it could practically be, granting a few spare beds for bad cases. About a month ago I put out boards stating that regular days had been set apart for out-patients; but my brother went away and I could not possibly overtake the work.

THE PRESIDENT.-If you had a Chinese licentiate, do you think that would attract Chinese patients?

Dr. Lowson. No; because when people come to the Civil Hospital they say they want a European doctor. They say they can get a Chinese doctor outside. Several times I have sent U I KAI to them, and they have refused to talk to him about their cases saying they want to see the No. 1,—a lot of bosh is talked on this subject by ignorant people.