415
The following table gives the number and classification of those brought to Hospital for the
past 10 years:-
1887.
1888.
1889. 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893. 1894.
1895. 1896.
Police,
619
657
590
582
570
496
522
505
466
588
Board of Trade,
103
153
135
110
135
157
132
100
129
87
Private paying Patients,
324
313
402
527
464
378
467
491
498
632
Government Servants,..
147
159
135
191
179
168
205
168
203
269
Police Cases,
209
242
252
264
240
232
247
272
319
244
Destitutes,..
255
248
279
283
279
284
262
427
668
778
1,656 1,772 1,793 1,957 1,867 1,715 1,835 1,963 2,283 2,598
This table shows a steady increase in the numbers of nearly all classes of patients, but for the 1896 a very large increase in the numbers of Private Patients and also of Destitutes, Government Ser- vants also show very decided increases in the last two years. Curiously enough 1894, the year of the first Plague Epidemic, was one of the healthiest of the ten years; every one was then so busy and excited that they had no time to think of themselves but the last two years show the result of the reaction.
The admissions and deaths in Hospital for the last ten years are as follows:-
Admissions.
Deaths.
1887,..
.1,656
89
1888,.
.1,772
80
1889,
.1,793
77
1890,
....1,957
98
1891,.
...1,867
84
1892........
.1,715
68
1893...
.1,835
67
1894,.
..1,963
101
1895,
.2,283
114
1896,....
.................2,598
143
The admissions have increased in the past ten years, in 1896 by nearly 1,000. In 1887 they were lowest 1,656; in 1896 highest 2,598. In 1893 the deaths were lowest in the past ten years 67, in 1896 highest 143.
This year Dr. ATKINSON suffered from another attack of Pneumonia and had to take a month's sick leave, but this year it was less severe than in the previous two years and the recovery much quicker to the great delight of all the Medical Staff. This year (1896) for the first time one of the Staff was attacked with Plague. Sister CATHERINE (Miss MCINTOSH), our Chinese scholar, who had donc most valuable work in the Plague Hospital for the first three years, had a very severe attack of plague and caused us all great anxiety, and sincere gratification when she showed signs of convalesc- ence. She was sent home on sick leave as soon as possible and has made a complete recovery becoming so well that she gave up part of her leave and has gone out to India to assist the nursing of the Plague patients in the epidemic now raging there.
Mr. CHAPMAN, the Hospital Steward, who has done very hard work the last three years, fell ill and had to go away on sick leave. I had to represent that his illness was entirely due to overwork and the necessity of another Chinese clerk being appointed to assist him which has been sanctioned.
Dr. BELL, who was appointed on the 1st June, 1896, has done hard and valuable work; he took Dr. ATKINSON's duties while he was away on sick leave for a month, and has been of the greatest assistance to the Medical Staff. I regret to say he fell ill with a severe attack of typhoid fever the beginning of the year 1897 and is now away on sick leave. He reports his restoration to health and his return in a fortnight. Before his permanent appointment on the Staff he has many times held temporary appointments on the Hospital Staff in emergencies and rendered invaluable assistance.
A new building has been added to the Hospital accommodation and is to be used entirely for lying-in cases, and there is a prospect of a new buildng for women and children's wards and private wards for women with a Nurses Institute for the instruction of nurses and midwives for the benefit of the public. These buildings, very much needed, will relieve the congestion in the wards and private wards of the Hospital to which the Superintendent has drawn attention. For these additions we shall have to thank Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee which cause the thanksgiving of thou- sands of the sick and suffering all over Her Majesty's possessions.
In this Hospital a first class paying patient can obtain accommodation, medical attendance, nursing by European Sisters of the first class who have been trained for five years in the London Hospital, food and medical comforts, including wine and spirits, of the best brand for $5 per diem. While in the first class hotels in this City he cannot get accommodation alone equal to that he receives
Page 420Page 421