 At the time of Gabriel's visit, there were 67 patients on Fantome Island (22 female), along with six nuns, a Mr H Stewart (Department of Native Affairs, in charge of stores, police, buildings and technical issues), and 12 workers from Palm Island.Daily dressings occurred at the dressing stations in each compound, and the medical superintendent from Palm Island visited for three hours every Wednesday.However, as this officer changed every eight weeks, Gabriel stated that there was no time for any one Medical Officer to become "even superficially conversant with the specific Sulphone or other treatment for Hansen's disease".