404
Enclosure II.
· GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL,
HONGKONG, 24th May, 1898.
SIR,-I have the honour to submit a short report of the Lunatic Asylum during the year 1897 with two tables showing the admissions and deaths that have occurred and the diseases for which the patients were admitted.
One hundred and thirty-six patients were admitted during the year, of which number twelve died, twenty-nine were sent to Canton, an eighty-nine were dischanged in the care of friends either cured or partially relieved, the majority coming under the latter category.
Three deaths occurred amongst the Europeans, one from General Paralysis of the Insane and two from the effects of Alcohol; one a very interesting case of delirium tremens with high temperature already reported in The Lancet.
The majority of European admissions come under the heading of "Under Observation" and were due to the temporary effects of drink, and after two or three days' detention were discharged cured. The insane cases were mostly due to Melancholia with delusions and were sent home to their respective countries.
6.
Chinese.-Three cases of General Paralysis of the Insaue occurred amongst the Chinese, two male and one female. The majority of the other cases were those of Dementia and come under the category of harmless lunatics." Unfortunately it is almost impossible to obtain any previous medical or family history of the cases so that the cause and origin of the mental condition is wrapt in mystery. There were five undoubted cases of Puerperal Mania, none of which recovered their mental con- dition. It seems, therefore, a fairly common disease amongst Chinese, and I have no doubt it would be found to be much more prevalent if a correct previous history were obtainable.
The Asiatic death occurred in the person of an old man of 80 admitted with cerebral softening. No European female lunatics have been admitted during the year.
The European Wardmasters LEE and SYDNEY have worked throughout the year without any interruption from illness, and both have done their work well and satisfactorily.
During my illness and absence on leave (3rd February to 10th May) the Lunatic Asylum was in charge of Dr. PENNY, R.N., and Dr. SWAN, and I take the opportunity to thank these gentlemen for the care and interest they took in these rather uninteresting patients.
Miss EASTMOND proceeded home on leave in April and the charge of the female lunatics was taken over by Miss IRELAND.
THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL MEDICAL OFFICER.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J. BELL,
Medical Officer in charge of Lunatic Asylum.
Table showing the ADMISSIONS into and DEATHS in the GOVERNMENT LUNATIC ASYLUMS during each Month of the Year 1897.
EUROPEANS.
COLOURED,
CHINESE.
Total
Total
MONTHS.
Admissions. Deaths.
Discharg- ed to
Cantou.
Admissions. Deaths. Admissions. Deaths. Admissions. Deaths.
Remaining on the 1st
January, 1897..
1
January,
1
February,
March,
* 1-∞ ∞
April,
12
၃ ။ ။ က က
May,
11
14
June,
10
11
aiaiai
6
5
July,
10
13
August,
15
18
September,
1
October,
1
13
17
November,
7
7
December,
3
7
I
10
1
TOTAL,....
22
6
1
108
20
136
12
29