The imposing block of buildings now in course of erection on the Avenue Paul Brunat, opposite the International Institute, is understood to be destined for a French Hospital. Should this information prove correct, it is to be hoped that the portunity of effecting n reorganization of Hospital will not be lost by the Municipal Council P@™ as trustees of the public welfare. It is generally wtmitted that the present system on which the General Hospital is conducted is far from satisfactory in view of the growin requirements of the community. The nursing staff, supplied by the devoted sisterhood of St. Vincent de Paul—a body of whose long and honourable association with our port Shanghai is justly proud—does not consist exclusively of trained hospital nurses. In the earlier days of Shanghai and so long as the foreign community numbered o a few thousands there was nothing in 1... dual capacity of volunteer hospital attendant and member of a religions order to detract from the usefulness of the Sisters, To-day the increase in the demands made on the Hospital and the exigencies of the modern hospital system prevent the staff from fulfilling adequately their voluntarily assumed obligations. " Vested interests," however, might be held to present serious obstacles in the way of effecting a sadden change; but with the establishment of a French Hospital, where the tax on the nursing staff will be less severe, it may be possible to retain the services of the sisterhood of St. Vincent de Paal in Shanghai while introducing' into the General Hospital fully trained nurses who are able to devote their whole time and thought to their profession.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.