Pity the poor men lying sick in hospital in the 1850s. They might see the doctor once a day, but for the rest of the time lay in dirty beds in a smelly, damp room with scant attention from the two coolies and a cook who had to do all the work of the place. The best the men might hope was that a less-sick fellow would bring them some water or a bedpan, or try to re-bandage their wounds.
Disease stalked the newly-arrived Europeans from their first days on Hong Kong Island. The Army and Navy were well provided with surgeons and ‘hospital orderlies’, but soon the Administration had to consider its own sick, and the non-Chinese population who were not rich enough to employ the civilian doctors of the town.
The fledgling Police or Civil Hospital had a ropey beginning, housed in whatever buildings could be rented, and without a purpose-built home until 1893. Similarly, until the 1860s, any ‘nursing’ the 50 or so patients received came from the untrained Chinese servants. When the Colonial Surgeon’s demand that ward-masters be employed was finally met, the salary offered was so meagre that few were either sober or competent. In their reports, the doctors wrote wistfully of what might be achieved if there was proper nursing - an ambition that was not realised until almost the end of the century.
The Speaker
Patricia O’Sullivan has been writing about Hong Kong’s vibrant history since 2010, initially uncovering long-forgotten family stories. The result, Policing Hong Kong - an Irish History, was published in April 2017. Many avenues of exploration were opened up by this, often involving the less- chartered waters of Hong Kong’s social history. The first result was Women, Crime and the Courts: Hong Kong 1841-1941(Blacksmith Books 2020). The next book in the pipeline is on the First World War in Hong Kong, focusing on the Police who volunteered for military service. Meanwhile, she is researching other aspects of life in pre-war Hong Kong, including the early fire-fighters and now the story of nursing in its first tortuous decades.
In a previous life, Patricia worked for Hertfordshire Music Service, and is still actively involved in music and music education when at home, but is looking forward to being able to rekindle her love of Hong Kong after the enforced hiatus.
Her website is www.socialhistoryhk.com.
PROGRAMME
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm Hong Kong Time (Desk reception opens at 6:30pm)
Admission: $150 for members, $200 for guests /non-members
Walk-in guests are welcome depending on availability.
Cash payment will be collected at the Reception Desk.
Please prepare the exact amount.
Please note that this is an in-person only event. There will be no Zoom link provided.
Registration: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk and provide your membership number, if applicable, at the time of registration.
Registration will be closed at 12 noon on the event date.