214 TlMEHRI. 



in the hospitals and labourers' cottages. In 1865, when 

 I came to the colony, a very bad state ot things existed 

 in this respe6l everywhere. At Haarlem there was a 

 wretched barn called the hospital ; for nurse there was a 

 coloured woman called SUSANNAH, who could neitherread 

 nor write, and an overseer had to go round after the doc- 

 tor's visit and read the prescriptions, which were written 

 in English. The supply of medicines consisted mainly 

 of calomel, salts, quinine and castor oil ; of course there 

 were a few others. As a rule on estates, a jar of black 

 draught was mixed and placed at the head of the steps 

 leading into the hospital, and whoever wanted it helped 

 themselves. For Quashie this was sufficient, but the 

 coolies required gentler treatment. To Dr. Shier, I 

 think, the first credit is due for the improved buildings, 

 and for a better staff and better treatment in them. In 

 1873, the Government took over the medical staff, which 

 up to then, had been in the Planter's hands; and I think 

 to-day the estates' hospitals are a credit to the colony. 

 So with the ranges ; the well ventilated cottages of the 

 day as compared with 1865, are simply a wonderful 

 change. 



Following up the sanitary improvements in hospitals 

 and ranges comes our good water supply. In 1865 the 

 estates depended on the rainfall for water for navigable 

 and drinking purposes, and how many of us can remem- 

 ber the want too often felt of a drink of water ! It was 

 a common sight during a drought to see the people 

 straining the muddy fluid through a cloth, and drinking 

 it ; I have had to do the same myself, Estates had 

 to send punts up the rivers with puncheons to get water 

 for the people to drink, and everyone was on allowance. 



