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Dr. ATKINSON. When qualified they return to Singapore, and are employed by the Government Medical Department siguing a bond to serve for 15 years, one is boarding officer to the ships, another Medical Officer to the Pauper Hospital, a third in charge of the Quarantine Station, and so on.
The Chairman.-Is the Hygein still used as a Hospital Ship?
Dr. ATKINSON. Yes.
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The Chairman.-They say here it is no longer so used.
Dr. ATKINSOs.-The Governor has decided that it is still to be utilised as a Hos- pital Ship.
The Chairman.-Who do you employ on board?
Dr. ATKINSON.-One of the Medical Officers of the Department.
Dr. STEDMAN. Have there been any sick there during the past year?
Dr. ATKINSON. Two in the past year, I think. In previous years, we have had as many as thirty patients on board. In 1894, 1896 and 1897 it was utilised for cases of cholera, plague and small-pox. If a ship should arrive, say, with cholera on board, the patients would be at once taken to the Hygeia instead of being treated in a hospital on shore. When it is in use it must be remembered that it takes three-quarters of an hour to get there.
Dr. STEDMAN. Do you think the school for Chinese medicine is turning out a success ? Do you think the course of education at the Chinese College of Medicine here is satisfactory; that the men are sufficiently well qualified to be put on to Government duties?
Dr. ATKINSON.—I don't think they can be sufficiently well trained here as the facilities are not sufficient for thoroughly training medical students.
Dr. STEDMAN.—Are the scholars sufficiently well trained in anatomy?
Dr. ATKINSON.-No, they cannot be, as there are no bodies to dissect.
Dr. STEDMAN. Can they read and write English sufficiently well to understand lectures, and have they to pass an entrance examination ?
Dr. ATKINSON. In former years-I am referring to eight or nine years ago—when the college was started there was no entrance examination at all, and the students had a very scanty knowledge of English, and how they were taught physiology, pathology and medicine without a knowledge of the language in which they were taught, I don't know.
Mr. SHARP.-As far as I can see in the staff you propose every man would be wanted during summer when plague occurs, and during the other part of the year it would be fairly easy work for all.
Dr. ATKINSON.- That is so, but it must be remembered that us one Medical Officer will now nearly always be away, there will be plenty of work for the rest even in the
winter.
Colonel HUGHES.-They would not be overworked as they now are.
Dr. ATKINSON.-It must be borne in mind that the pressure comes at the worst time of the year, namely, the summer.
Colonel HUGHES.-Number 18, in the Colonial Estimates, headed "Medical Depart- ments," gives the Medical Staff, and goes on to give the Civil Hospital Staff-apothe caries, analysts, and so on-messengers, cooks, stokers, etc. Are those adequate?
Dr. ATKINSON.--Yes, I think they are.
No comments yet.
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