Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 954

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rice and a tin pannikin of cold water-bis afternoon meal, which had been pushed in to him between the bars of his cage. He showed no inclination to partake of his luxurious repast and indeed he couldn't had he been so disposed, for the quantity and quality of his rations would not admit of that. He had nothing to say, neither did he take much notice of any one, and appeared perfectly quiet and harmless. In another cage there was a man who had torn his blanket to shreds, and who seemed very much annoyed at being confined in such a dungeon. None of the hapless inmates had beds to lie on, clean bedding to cover themselves with, or proper commodes, and the air in the ward was foetid to a degree."

In continuation of the inspection of the Tung Wa, wherein the above mentioned dungeon is now turned into a clean, well ventilated reception ward, a visit was paid to the Lunatic Asylum adjoining the Government Civil Hospital. This is divided into two distinct buildings, one for the reception of foreigners and the other for Chinese. The arrangements in each are practically the same. For purposes of comparison the Chinese ward will be taken as representing the whole, as there are only three persons in the foreign ward.

A large two-storey building, with wide verandahs and iron bars, looking out on a large lawn, and overlooking the grounds of the Civil Hospital, is occupied by these unfortunates, the upper storey being for men and the lower for women. Each ward consists of a long room opening on the verandah, while at the back are the cells or dormitories of the inmates. Each cell, with a heavy door and grating, is fitted with a comfortable bed, the large room being the dining room. One cell is thickly padded, but this is rarely used. At one end of the verandah is a commodious bath-room with a clean bath and retiring room. The whole is scrupulously clean, the cement flooring being dry, the chairs and tables white, and there is an air of freshness and brightness hardly to be expected in such a place. The inmates, of whom there are at present nine men and six women, all look clean and are all dressed in spotless white "duck" cloth- ing. Although of necessity the unfortunates are confined, they looked happy despite the mental derangement with which they are all afflicted. Every afternoon when the weather permits the patients are taken on the lawn in front, where they are given exercise. The treatment accorded them by the warders and attendants is most compassionate, all being regarded more as children than as men or women.

Immediately after the exposé in these columns in 1894, the Government took steps to prevent the detention of maniacs in the Tung Wa Hospital, with the result that the Government physicians now have power to order the removal of any of this class found there to the Asylum. The benefits thus conferred upon this helpless class can be readily seen from the comparison. Is there any valid reason why, for the benefit of the sick and wounded, the Government physicians should not have the power to order any patients improperly treated, or receiving no benefit from the treatment at the Tung Wa Hospital, to be taken to the Government Civil Hospital?