DEATHS AMONG CHINESE.
FEVERS.
VOMITING
YEARS.
DIARRHEA. CHOLERA.
AND
TOTAL.
Enteric.
Simple Continued.
PURGING.
Typhus.
1873,
12
96
16
195
1874,
125
46
231
1875,
31
291
288
1876,
94
343
259
1877,
145
370
8
311
1878,
89
481
1879,
116
733
21
1880,
309
373
1881,
438
168
38
1882,
679
71
1883,
262
571
1884,
132
600
1885,
105
755
1886,
772
* :* :** 19
33
701
608
348
435
465
660
301
561
10
326
441
25
276
319
402
612
696
834
1,304
1,478
1,030
1,079
1,215
1,496
1,035
176
1,604
19
1,136
13
764
1887,
In respect therefore of those diseases which may owe their origin to insanitary conditions we see that the European Table of deaths keeps about the same average, while the Chinese Table shows a very marked reduction, in fact the latter has never been so low for the previous ten years. The improved methods of surface scavenging and the thorough cleansing of tenements at certain periods, insisted on by the Sanitary Board for the last three years, appear to be doing a great amount of practical good. In 1886 there was a decrease in this Table of nearly 400 deaths as compared with 1885, this year there is another decrease of nearly 400 deaths as compared with 1886. With these facts before us the Sanitary Board must have every reason to be satisfied with the result of their work in the practical sanitation of the town although their best efforts will be I fear but of little comparative avail until their hands are strengthe- ned by the new Public Health Ordinance which it is very deeply to be regretted should not have been confirmed and brought into operation last year.
During 1887-8 fever has prevailed extensively in the extreme Western District, along the upper levels of Victoria and a Medical Commission has been appointed by His Excellency the Governor to enquire into the nature and cause of the disease and to suggest preventive measures. This Commission has not yet submitted its Report.
In November, a very serious outbreak of small-pox occurred, there were 15 deaths among Europeans and 233 deaths among Chinese from this cause up to the end of the year. There was for a time a very large demand for vaccine and the latter was telegraphed for to Japan, Australia and England. The calf-lymph procured from Japan was found admirably put up for travelling, it arrived in excellent condition and was effective and satisfactory.
The small-pox epidemic was severe while it lasted, and necessitated the building, of a tempo- rary mat Hospital with 100 beds in the Government Civil Hospital grounds. So large was the number of admissions that it reached 50 cases in Hospital at one time. Thanks to the precautions and the energetic measures taken by the Sanitary Board this epidemic was not of long duration. An Ordinance for the compulsory vaccination of infants has since been passed and it will be interesting to see whether it can be successfully enforced among the Chinese population.
As the Government Medical Staff of the Colony at present stands, each member of it has his full complement of work, and there is no relief possible in case of emergency, except from outside sources which cannot always be depended upon. If any member of the Medical Staff falls sick there is no one to take his place. None of us can take vacation leave without great personal loss as according to the Rules of the Service every officer absent on furlough has to find a substitute. The finding of a substitute is feasible in almost every other Department without detriment to the individual who takes his leave for there is always some brother officer in the service who can take his place, or his limited hours of duty render it possible for him to find outside assistance. With the Medical Department however such is not the case. The duties require the incumbent of the office to be on duty at all times night and day, and there is no one in the Service that can relieve him. The Army Medical Department have hitherto come to our relief but this cooperation cannot always be depended on as from press of work, sickness, or other cause, the Army Medical Staff may be short of hands themselves. If therefore the recent recommendation of the Sanitary Board in favour of an Epidemic Hospital outside of the town be carried out, it would be absolutely necessary to obtain the permanent services of an additional Surgeon.
I have the honour to be,
The Hon. F. STEWART,
Colonial Secretary).
Sir, Your obedient Servant,
PH. B. C. AYRES, Colonial Surgeon.