332
YEARS.
DEATHS AMONG CHINESE.
FEVERS.
*
VOMITING |Diarrhea. CHOLERA. AND
TOTAL.
Enteric.
Simple Continued.
PURGING.
Typhus.
1878,
12
96
16
1874,
125
46
1875,
31
291
1876,
94
343
1877,
145
370
1878,
89
481
33
1879,
116
733
21
1880,
309
373
1881,
438
168
38
1882,
679
71
1883,
262
571
1884,
132
600**
1885,
105
755
1886,
9
2772
1887,
441
1888,
2
299
1889,
1
363
1890,
342
Nico: ä
195
319
231
402
288
612
259
696
8
311
834
701
1,304
608
1,478
348
1,030
435
1,079
465
1,215
660
1,496
301
561
10
326
25
276
361
Si
1,035
176
1,604
19
1,136
13
764
17
236
917
180
7
551
216
562
The above Table is a similar one and shows the deaths from the same classes of disease amongst the Chinese for the same period (eighteen years), both these tables illustrate the improved condition of things as regards sanitation in the Colony.
One thing more I desire to draw attention to as regards the Medical Department is a comparison of the work required of its Staff as compared with that of all other Departments, and the benefits received by them as compared with the Officers of other Departments.
Every other Department has its stated hours of work for its Officers not increased unless in very exceptional circumstances which are of very rare occurrence. The Medical and many other Officers of this Department are liable and are continually being called upon at all hours night and day, and can call no hour their own. The work done is three times greater all round in this Department than it was when I joined eighteen years ago.
In every other Department an Officer can find a substitute to do his duty when away on leave without any very extra hardship for the substitute and greatly to his benefit by increased pay. For short leave, as there are only five Medical Officers, this can be managed but the substitute has a very considerable increase of work and anxiety and no benefit whatever. For long leave an outsider has to be found to the considerable loss of the Officer taking leave. None of the Medical Officers are capable of acting for any Officer in other Departments or obtaining the benefits received by doing so in increased pay. For instance, I have seen since I have been in the Colony one Officer holding the following acting appointments at different times:-" Acting" Magistrate, Harbour Master, Registrar General, Captain Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Victoria Gaol, Colonial Secretary and Administrator, and by these acting appointments adding very considerably to his pay, not possible to a Medical Officer.
The Medical Officers are compelled to live in the Central District of the town as near as possible to their duties and cannot derive any benefits from residence on the upper levels or at the Peak.
When the increase of salaries for the different Departments was under consideration this year, the Secretary of State was of opinion, owing to alterations, new appointments, &c., no increase of pay was necessary in this Department, but at my representation, individual Officers were allowed to pre- sent their cases to the Secretary of State for further consideration.
As a fact many of the Officials though newly appointed are not paid in proportion to the increased work they have to do and the pay their predecessors received for much less work. As the oldest Officer in this Department, I am $3,000 a year worse off than when I joined this Service. What I have said has no reference whatever to the lowered rates of exchange of late years.
The Doctor, without reference to the many hours he has been on duty, is expected to present an alert and cheerful appearance, to be sympathetic, courteous and kindly in his manner, gentle and skilful in the handling of his patients. When he has probably been many hours over the twenty-four without sleep and in much anxiety and mental worry over many cases he has in charge, yet from Government downwards when it comes to pay, the Doctor is the last person to be considered. Though when he is wanted no one is more anxiously looked for or is received with greater delight and relief.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
The Honourable W. M. GoODMAN,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
PH. B..C. AYRES,
Colonial Surgeon.