170
No. 73.
THE HONGKong goverNMENT GAZETTE, 17TH APRIL, 1875.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Annual Report of the Colonial Surgeon, with Returns annexed, for the year 1874, is published for general information.
By Command,
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 16th April, 1875.
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GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL,
HONGKONG, 5th April, 1875.
SIR, I have the honor to forward my Annual Report for the year 1874 concerning the health of the Colony and the working of the different establishments under my supervision.
This year, the first of my service in the Colony, I have gained considerable experience to guide me in making this Report, for I made long and careful sanitary inspections of the town, both at the beginning and end of the year.
I made two Reports to Government, the result of my sanitary inspections of the town and brothels at the beginning of the year, and this winter another series of inspections have been made in company with Mr. PRICE, the Surveyor General, who has kindly given me the benefit of his experience in draw- ing my attention to many things he considered worthy of note. I have also to thank the Officers in charge of the different Departments for much information requisite for making up the accompanying Returns.
POLICE.
The health of the Police is much improved. Table I. shows that the admissions this year to Hos- pital have been less by 130, as compared with 1873, though that year was good when compared with previous years.
The Indians have suffered most, principally from mild attacks of Intermittent Fever, Diarrhoea, and affections of the respiratory organs. Many of them suffer from Intermittent Fever in their own country before coming here, and the cases recorded have been mostly repetitions of previous attacks, and of quite a mild type. Those that have been brought over this year have been a stronger and better built set of men, and more care has been apparent in their selection. I had occasion last year in my Report to bring to notice the deficiency in this respect of many of the recruits, and I am glad to see with good results.
The admissions among the Europeans and Chinese have been principally from slight attacks of Intermittent Fever, and slight injuries received in execution of their duties.
Table II. shows the strength of the Force as compared with the sickness and mortality. The deaths in Hospital have been 8, as compared with 11 in 1873. Four other deaths occurred, of men who were not under treatment in Hospital. Three of them from causes not under control, and one while away on leave. These deaths are specially noticed in Table II,
In Table E. is seen the number admitted to Hospital for venereal disease being 21, as compared with 59 in 1873, this will be referred to under the head of Lock Hospital.
TROOPS.
Table III. gives the strength, sickness and mortality of the Troops in Hongkong in 1874. Last year the rate of sickness and mortality had much diminished as compared with previous years. This year the admissions to Hospital, as compared with 1873, have been 379 less in number, showing a still further improvement; and the number of deaths have been 4 less than last year.
The admissions to Hospital for venereal disease this year have been only 65, against 223 in 1873; of these, 4 cases only were Primary Syphilis and 50 Uncomplicated Gonorrhoea (see Table E).
GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.
I am happy to say some progress has been made towards building a new Civil Hospital, the site has been prepared, and the plans have arrived from England. That it is badly wanted, what I have to say under this head will show,
The working of this establishment has been exceedingly good under the able superintendence of Dr. WHARRY, and also, during his absence on three months' leave, of Dr. W. C. S. CLAPHAM.