( 54 )
Mr. CROW.-Europeans, I think.
Dr. CANTLIE.--Have the Chinese increased at all?
Mr. CROW.-No; I do not think so. There is no charge made for out-patients.
-
Dr. CANTLIE. Anyone can come and get medicines who pleases?
Mr. Crow. Of course, it is in the discretion of the Colonial Surgeon.
Dr. CANTLIE.--So far as you know any Chinese can come to the Government Civil Hospital for medicines ?
Mr. CROW.--There is no question of nationality; they see the Colonial Surgeon, and then the prescription is handed in to us. We were never asked to make any charge for medicine.
THE PRESIDENT.---Are there any Chinese drugs dispensed?
Mr. CROW.--No; practically not. Of course, we buy some crude material for preparing pharmacopiea preparations. It is all Western remedies.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-What would you say was the daily number of prescriptions?
Mr. CROW. About 3,500 a year. It reached nearly 4,000 in 1891.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-Is there an increase in the demand for European drugs by the Chinese.
Mr. CROW.--I do not think so. bring the number up to 6,000.
There are repetitions of prescriptions which might
Mr. MCCONACHIE,-Do you think Western medicines would be greatly used by the natives if there were dispensaries opened in Taipingshan and Kowloon and different points in the Colony free of charge?
Mr. CROW.--I think so; but I think there would be no great rush for the Western treatment. There would a certain number of cases where the people would hear of cures, and then these people would go round for treatment; but I do not think the Chinese would avail themselves of the dispensaries in the same way as the poor people in England, because there is a great antipathy against Western medicines.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.—Do you think there would be any use in opening dispensaries? Mr. CROW.-Yes. They would come in for treatment in small numbers at first. I do not think any charge that could be made would cover the cost of running these dispensaries.
Mr. MCCONACHIE.-What would be the yearly cost of one of these dispensaries, for medicines?
Mr. CROW.--I was called upon to give an estimate and I estimated $1,500 for each dispensary, that is including rent, salary of the man in charge, and medicines.
Dr. CANTLIE.--Would you recommend the establishment of these dispensaries? Mr. CROW.-Yes; but only in connection with the scheme for getting proper vital statistics. I would not support it as a separate scheme for the mere use of issuing medicines.
Dr. CANTLIE.--In connection with what Department should they be?
M
Mr. CROW. These Chinese practitioners, if attached to any Government Depart- ment, should be attached to the Medical Department.
Dr. CANTLIE. Do you think the officers of the Medical Department have time to look after them?
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.