Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 713

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But I am afraid one such medical man trained in Western medical science would not be sufficient to do the work for a whole day ?-The work is very simple, to examine the patients and if he finds a patient suffering from plague he gives the order and the man is sent to the Kennedy Town Hospital. He has nothing to do with the treatment of the patients, and I think one man would be ample for the work.

Is the Tung Wa Hospital being carried on now as it was in years gone by when you were Chairman ?—I think not.

What are the differences ?-When we took charge of the Hospital we simply went by the regulations, and there was no interference from the Colonial Surgeon; but at the present time European doctors continually come and go, and they give orders in regard to patients before the Chinese doctors in the Hospital or the Directors have had a chance of hearing what the patient has to say, and I have heard of worse complaints from the Directors. A man has been placed there who is not a doctor or a nurse-he might be a policeman or a sailor from the Sailors' Home-and whenever a patient is sent into the Hospital this man has more to say than the doctors.

Is the man there now ?--The other day when I visited the Hospital with Dr. EITEL we wanted to turn up the books, and this man said "You cannot see these books." Dr. EITEL replied that he must see them, and the policeman said he was put there to prevent anyone seeing the books and that he would have to report Dr. EITEL. If he would do that with Dr. EITEL, a European gentleman, you can imagine how much worse he would be with the Chinese.

THE PRESIDENT-The object of having a policeman there whilst plague exists in the Colony is to enable the Sanitary Board to ascertain the houses from which plague-stricken patients come. Directly a patient is brought to the Hospital this Constable communicates with the Police or institutes enquiries in order to find out where the patient comes from. During the plague epidemic of 1894 a good deal of trouble was experienced in obtaining the addresses of people suffering from plague.

Mr. WHITEHEAD-Has this officer been on duty continuously since 1894 ?

THE PRESIDENT-No. I am not sure whether a similar officer was on duty in 1895. Authority for employing such an officer was again obtained a few months ago.

Mr. WHITEHEAD-The Sanitary Board obtained permission from the Government?

THE PRESIDENT-Yes, they obtained a man from the Police. The object is to discover where plague patients come from.

WITNESS-The man on duty there is not only looking after plague patients but every one who is taken into the Hospital.

THE PRESIDENT-It is outside his province to interfere with everybody.

Mr. WHITEHEAD-But how is he to find out whether these are plague patients unless he examines them ?

THE PRESIDENT-The Chinese doctors are there. He has not the necessary qualifications.

Mr. WHITEHEAD--Has

-Has this man any knowledge of Chinese? Is there anybody in the Hospital who can converse with this man ?--There might be one or two who speak English; I am not sure.

THE PRESIDENT-Is there anybody attached to the Hospital who can interpret fluently?--No.

Mr. WHITEHEAD-If the Government asked the Tung Wa Hospital to be allowed to employ a European doctor permanently in the Tung Wa Hospital who might offer

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