192
48. Four cases of datura poisoning were treated in Hospital; the use of this poison seems to be more common in the Colony than formerly.
49. Wounds of all kinds, and fractures figure largely in the list as usual.
50. Fifty deaths occurred in Hospital during the year.
51. Up to September 9th, 85 dead bodies were deposited by the Police in the Hospital dead-
house.
52. On the 10th September the Public Mortuary at Shekt'ongtsui, being nearly finished, was made available for use, and since that date the Police have taken there all the dead bodies which came into their hands. The patients and staff of the Hospital have thus at last been relieved of what was a constant source of danger and discomfort.
53. The receipts from patients in 1884 amounted to $7,144.45: of this $1,675.75 was derived from the Board of Trade, and $837.42 from the Police. In 1883 the receipts were $8,113.22: of which $1,826.25 was from the Board of Trade, and $1,102.25 from the Police.
54. The visitation of the Hospital by Justices of the Peace, in abeyance for some time past, is to be resumed at some future period. This will be a great advantage, as it will encourage the staff by showing that an interest is taken in their work, and it will also facilitate the remedying of defects in
the Establishment.
55. If I might make a suggestion to those responsible for the construction of the Civil Hospital, I would represent the propriety of a laundry formning part of the Establishment. The soiled bedding and clothing is now sent to the Gaol and washed by the convicts, and the result is unsatisfactory.
56. A Hospital report should include something in the shape of scientific observation, and might be expected to contribute something towards a knowledge of the diseases of the locality. This is out of question, however, with one medical officer in sole charge of a general Hospital of 98 beds, a small- pox Hospital of 10 beds, and medico-legal work to perform as well. With such difficulties in the way of nursing and administration as have been described, it is satisfactory that the year's work has been got through without any remarkable failure.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
Dr. Pu. B. C. AYRES.
Colonial Surgeon.
Enclosure 2.
Report on the Lock Hospital.
C. J. WHARRY, M.D., Superintendent.
GOVERNMENT LOCK HOSPITAL,
HONGKONG, 8th January, 1885,
SIR, I have the honour to forward a short report on the work done during last year in this Establishment in connection with the Contagious Diseases Ordinances.
Within the above mentioned period (1884-1885) 12,638 examinations were held in this Hospital and 427 at Wántsai; and 325 women were detained for treatment.
The majority of admissions were on account of gonorrhea; the cases of leucorrhoea and soft sores coming next in frequency and, lastly, those of ulceration of the os uteri.
Of the true or constitutional syphilis, there have been but 2 cases recorded in this Hospital; a fact to be wondered at, considering the great movement of ships in the harbour, and, moreover, the circumstance that, with the exception of Shanghai and Japan, that very important measure of sanitary science--the inspection of prostitutes, is not enforced at all in the neighbouring ports and places.
The rarity of that terrible scourge amongst the registered women in this Colony, proves, I think, that they, to a certain extent, do take some precautions, as they dread a long detention in the Hospital. It has come to my knowledge that the two women who had contracted syphilis, had infected within a few days, three men.
Of the 190 registered women against whom complaints were lodged, 57 or 30 per cent. were found to be diseased.
That in a good many cases men did not contract disease with them, will soon be apparent by a little process of reasoning.
Leaving for the present the less serious cases, such as gonorrhoea, in which are included also the simple urethritis, and confining our attention only to cases reported as venereal sores' and 'primary syphilis,' you will perceive by referring to the Table H, that of the 45 women examined, only 14 were found diseased.