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No. 59.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23RD MARCH, 1872.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Notice of the 22nd March, from the Acting Harbor Master, relative to the change of position of the wreck of the Norwegian Barque Glimt, is published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 23rd March, 1872.
NOTICE.
CECIL C. SMITH,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
The wreck of the Norwegian barque Glimt, has been moved entirely out of the Channel, and now lies close in shore on the South side of Chunghu Island.
Harbor Master's Office, Hongkong, 22nd March, 1872.
R. H. CAIRNS, Acting Harbor Master, &c.
No. 60.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Report of the Acting Colonial Surgeon, with Returns annexed, for the Year 1871, is published for general information.
By Command,
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 23rd March, 1872.
VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 26th February, 1872.
Having performed the duties of Colonial Surgeon during the absence of Dr. MURRAY from Hongkong, since 19th January, 1871, I shall endeavour to give a short Report on the Sanitary condition of the Colony for the year 1871.
I.-THE POLICE.
The health of this Force during the past year has been very good. The rate of sickness is much below the average and the rate of mortality lower than it has ever been. The number of Chinese in the Force has been increased from an average of 204 to 236.
Table I. shows the admissions into Hospital and the deaths for the twelve months of 1871. The greatest number of admissions was during the summer months. Ten cases of Small Pox occurred in the Force and two of these were fatal. There was one death from Hydrophobia, after a bite from a dog. The increase in the number of Chinese admitted to Hospital, as compared with the previous year, is owing partly to a number of admissions under the Contagious Diseases Act. The Chinese Constables do not undergo a monthly examination as is the case with Europeans and Colored men in the Force, but when examined for re-enlistment a number of Lokongs were found to be suffering from disease and were detained in Hospital. Another reason for the increase is the fact of the Chinese resorting to the Hospital for treatment, more than to their native doctors, as they used to do formerly. The number of European and Colored men admitted to Hospital is comparatively small, and the rate of sickness for the whole Force is more than 16 per cent less than in 1870.
Table II. shows the rate of sickness and mortality for 1871. The same evidence of improved health in the Public Services is shewn in the Military returns.
Table III. gives the rate of sickness and mortality in the Troops serving in Hongkong in 1871. Their health has evidently been excellent, and the rate of mortality is lower than it has ever been on this station. The superior barrack accommodation and the exemption of Europeans from night duty has, no doubt, contributed to this gratifying result. In 1870, the sickness was at the rate of 157 per cent and the mortality 2 per cent. In 1850 out of an average strength of 1;153 Europeans and Colored Troops, the rate of sickness was 515 per cent and the mortality nearly 16 per cent.
II.-GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.
Table IV. shows the number of admissions and mortality in this institution. The number of admissions is less than in the previous year and the mortality is slightly in excess. There were 6 deaths from Small Pox and 21 from Diarrhoea, the latter, in most instances, being cases of "destitutes
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