Annual report of the Medical Department / Federated Malay States.

  • Federated Malay States. Medical Department.
Date:
[1923]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Medical Department / Federated Malay States. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    53. My great regret is that this work, which was begun yery late, though not so late as the quarters, was not completed when the delegates to the Congress of the Ear Eastern Association of Tropical Medicine visited. However, I was able to point to them under construction as an improvement in hand. 54. Farms.—The farms did well though the value of product was much less than 1922. This was to a great extent due to a fall in prices. For example we supplied 225,553 katis 2 tahils of vegetables (excluding those supplied to Ipoh Hospital) against 212,351 katis 6 tahils in 1922. In addition our wood-cutters at Highfield supplied 16,541^ piculs of firewood valued at $6,616.60. We supplied less milk but more pork than in 1922 and I hope to supply more of both in 1924. Some of our exchanges with the hill did not work out as well as I had hoped, but I have learned from my mistakes. 55. The fruit farm has been an unqualified success and as time goes on should be one of the finest in the country. 56. We have now under cultivation 234 acres. 57. Before I leave this section I should like to put on record my indebtedness to the Agricultural Department and the Veterinary Department. 58. Work.—I attach a list of the work done, and a valuation. As usual all the patients’ and attendants’ clothes were made and mended in the workshops. 59. We have also done a great deal of levelling, draining, etc., which I shall deal with again in another paragraph. 60. I do not wish anyone to run away with the idea, because the value of the work is shown, that the work is done with the idea of profit. It is not. The work is purely undertaken as a form of treatment for the patients and the fact that it happens to be profitable is merely an accident—a fortunate one I allow. 61. Staff.—The staff has been satisfactory. In April, Dr. Stone, at the end of his two years’ agreement, went to Singapore, where he is acting Superintendent of the Asylum. 62. In October, the staff suffered a great loss. Mr. Ah Fait, the Inspector, retired after 40 years’ Government service. 63. Now that, he has retired, I hope, I may infringe the rule as to comment on individuals, and say how much he has done for the Central Mental Hospital. He had been my right-hand man from the day 1 opened this hospital, and no one will ever know how much of the organisation is due to Mr. Ah Fatt. 64. Mr. Kanapathippillay has been promoted Inspector vice Mr. Ah Fatt and Mr. Ooi Cheng Yean replaces Mr. Kanapathippillay as Assistant Inspector. 65. Mr. Pal was on leave from 19th February, 1923, till 6th July, 1923, and Mr. C. Murgiah acted for him. While Mr. Pal was on leave he was confirmed in the appointment as Senior Assistant Physician. 66. Mr. Ah Fatt was on three months’ leave prior to retirement from July 1st. 67. Mr. Tan Hong Ann was transferred, after having been here over a year, on 17th July, 1923, on Mr. Pal’s return from leave. 68. The vacancy amongsf the Assistant Physicians was filled on 7th April, 1923, by Mr. M. Luchumeyah who in turn was succeeded by Mr. Sabapathy on 6th October, 1923. 69. Mr. Murugiah left on 19th July, 1923, and was replaced by Mr. Vaithilingam. 70. Amongst the dressers Mr. Masim Ali was appointed on 21st February, 1923, but left the service without notice a few months later; since when there has been a vacancy in the dresser staff. 71. Mr. Mahmud bin Shaik Abdul Majid was appointed to the vacancy caused by Mr. Ah Fatt’s retirement on 15th October, 1923. 72. Judging by the number of applications I had for the appointment, the dresser posts here must be very much more popular than the Assistant Surgeon ones. 73. Mr. Chan Ah Choy, Clerk, Class II, was appointed to the staff on 8th June, 1923, and on 1st July, 1923, Mr. Wong Piang Seong was transferred and was succeeded by Mr. C. L. Marcus. 74. This was the only clerical change but I think one will agree that the above is a goodly list of changes in one institution in one year.