11. The general physique of the men sent from home of late years is quite as good as formerly; indeed a finer set of men than the European Police in Hongkong could hardly be found anywhere. The sanitary condition of their quarters does not account for the increase in sickness amongst them entirely, for they were much the same in 1874 as they are now. Though many of them have altered for the worse yet some have altered for the better; therefore I think that it must be looked for in the longer hours of duty, and especially to the longer hours of exposure to malarial influences on night duty.
12. The admissions to Hospital and deaths in the Police Force for the past ten years are as follows:-
Admissions. ...........346
Deaths.
1874, 1875,
11
436
14
1876,
..410
7
1877,
.418
6
1878,
..566
6
1879,
.566
8
1880,
..588
13
1881,
...498
10
1882.
..549
8
1883,
..599
10
TROOPS.
13.-There is a considerable increase in the numbers admitted to the Military Hospital this year, though but a slight increase in the number of deaths.
14.-Table IV gives the average strength of the Force, the sickness and deaths, with their percentage to strength for 1883.
15. The number of admissions to Hospital and of deaths among the Troops for the last ten years are given below.
1874,
1875,
1876,
1877,
1878,
1879,..
1880,
1881.
1882.
1883,
Admissions.
Deaths.
.1.067
10
716
9
563
2
973
9
944
10
.1,035
8
..1,075
13
.1,116
4
.1,019
9
....1,105
10
16.-The sickness amongst the Troops this year therefore is nearly equal to the worst year of the ten, 1881, and the deaths more than the average.
1
17.-It is curious to note that the sickness among the Military and the Police began to increase nearly at the same time, and if "a policeman's life is not a happy one," as regards sickness, a soldier's does not seem to be much better in Hongkong.
GOVERNMEMT CIVIL HOSPITAL.
18. Last year, the alterations in this Establishment sanctioned by the Secretary of State about five years ago were begun and I hope by the end of this year they will be nearly completed.
19.-At present the work of the Establishment is carried on in part of the Old Lock Hospital, the New Lock Hospital, and the Old Temporary Lock Hospital, formerly a School House, and therefore the work has had to be carried on under exceptionally unpleasant conditions for both staff and patients.
20. In the beginning of last year Mr. MCCALLUM, the Government Apothecary and Analyst, was promoted to the new office of Sanitary Inspector, and his successor did not arrive till the end of the
year,
21.There were other troubles to contend with among the staff. The Steward and a European Wardmaster had to be dismissed, and the Chinese Clerk who had just learnt to make himself useful was promoted to another office.
22.-These things have all been remedied. The new Government Analyst has taken charge of his duties, very satisfactorily. We have a new Steward, who formerly belonged to the Police Force, and bears an exceptionally good character, and a new European Wardmaster, formerly in The Buffs, who also has highly satisfactory testimonials. Also a new Chinese Clerk who has to learn his duties, which are numerous and important.