Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 937

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little doubt but that the Chinese must be puzzled to understand why what was very good some fifteen or sixteen years ago should be utterly condemned now. While fully recognizing this and the pernicious effect such actions are likely to have on the Chinese community, I must say that those old small-pox wards are very undesirable places for the reception and treatment of the sick and should only be used for such a purpose temporarily when in cases of emergency no other more suitable place is available. Certainly, the tenement-houses of the poorer classes of Chinese are not more suitable places and I have no hesitation in recording my opinion that a sick person is far more comfortable in these undesirable wards than in a section of a tenement-house sur- rounded by a variety of noises, etc. If, therefore, the present wards, of the Tung Wa Hospital are full and more accommodation is required, until such time as this accom- modation is provided, I unhesitatingly say let these undesirable wards be utilized rather than turn away sick persons seeking admission to the Hospital. I wish it to be distinctly understood that I am not advocating the extension of the Chinese hospital system in the Colony. I am merely dealing with things as they exist and so long as the vast majority of the Chinese prefer to be treated empirically by their own doctors it is far better that they should be so treated in a hospital under the regular inspection of the Colonial Surgeon than in their own houses. I am convinced that far more progress will be made by gaining the confidence of the Chinese and in gradually getting them to recognize the superiority of Western medical science over their own empirical system of medicine than by adopting the rough-and-ready methods of the Drill Sergeant.

9. With regard to conservancy, I am quite satisfied that the only satisfactory method in any hospital is the water carriage system. Excretal matters in hospitals are nearly always infective and consequently the speedy and complete removal of them is a matter of the first importance. This can only be effectually carried out by adopt- ting the water carriage system. I mentioned this to the Directors and they expressed themselves as being in favour of it, but it is probable the initial cost of erecting the necessary apparatus may cause them to alter their opinion, although I do not think it will. Be that as it may, it should be insisted on. The storage for twenty-four hours of infected excretal matters and their subsequent removal through the streets cannot be done without danger to the community.

10. The drainage arrangements of the Hospital are being seen to now and when the work is completed this section of the sanitation of the Hospital will be placed on a satisfactory footing.

HUGH MCCALLUM,

18th January, 1896.

Appendix VII.

HONGKONG, 26th March, 1896.

SIR,

We have the honour to report that, in accordance with the request of the Tung Wa Hospital Commission, we visited the. Hospital on the 23rd instant, and inspected the books, buildings, &c.

(2) The books kept are as follows:-

1. Cash Book, balanced monthly, showing receipts and expenditure.

2. Record of subscribers and subscriptions to the Hospital Funds, and of

rents received from properties.

3. Record of expenditure on miscellaneous services:-Crown Rent, Taxes,

Insurance, &c.