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GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL,
HONGKONG, 1st March, 1903.
SIR,I have the honour to forward to you the Annual Medical Report on the Government Lunatic Asylums for the year ending December 31st, 1902.
On March 7th I took over charge from Dr. J. BELL, who proceeded on leave.
I attach Table IX which shows the admissions and deaths that have occurred during the year, and Table X the number of patients under the respective diseases.
The total number of patients admitted to the Asylums was 120, as against 90 in the year 1901, which shows a considerable increase and the need for such an Institution in the Colony.
Europeans. Three females were admitted during the year. Two suffered from alcoholism and peripheral neuritis, and one a Roumanian Jewess, from acute mania, both this woman and the American female who was admitted in April, 1895, now remain in the Asylum. They are quite incurable. The number of male patients admitted shows an increase of 18 over last year. Of these, 12 were suffer- ing from alcoholism or delirium tremens. Such cases require continuous vigilance and attention and can be treated with greater safety in the Asylum than in the Hospital. They have the same dieting and skilled attendance, and when violent can be restrained from injuring themselves and others. The moral effect on a patient suffering from alcoholism when he finds himself in an Asylum cannot but be beneficial, at least for a time. Two of the patients admitted have, to my know- ledge, given up drinking when they discovered their nearness to ordinary insanity. No fresh cases of mania following intemperance have come under my notice during the year.
One case of the Dementia from this cause recovered.
The English sailor admitted in January, 1899, is still in the Asylum. He is quite incurable, and is the noisest Lunatic under my care.
Of the 29 Europeans admitted, 1 was under observation, 3 were handed over to their friends and sent home, 17 were discharged cured, 1 died, leaving 7 remain- ing on December 31st.
The man who died was an Englishman ages 68 years, admitted in September, 1901, suffering from Senile decay. He succumbed to an attack of Diarrhoea following general debility.
Indians and Coloured.-There were four admissions during the year and two deaths, both from dementia.
Asiatics (Chinese and Japanese).-The admissions this year were 87, as against 76 in 1901. The number of females were 20 shewing a decrease of 5, as compared with last year, and a corresponding increase of 16 male lunatics,
There were 10 deaths. 38 patients were sent to Canton, 35 handed over to their friends when claimed, 3 under observation were discharged, leaving 11 patients in the Asylum on December 31st.
The death-rate amongst the Chinese patients was certainly very high in proportion to that of previous years; but it must be remembered that the majority of Chinese lunatics are brought in by the Police who find them half starved and wandering about, neglected by their friends. Many of these cases are diseased both physically and mentally, and with such lowered vitality they readily succumb to their physical condition or any onset of acute disease.
Dementia appears to be the commonest form of insanity amongst the Asia- tics; 44 cases were treated during the year.
I am pleased to be able to report that no accident occurred during the year. One Chinese patient attempted to commit suicide in his room by hanging, but the vigilance of the attendants averted this calamity.
Wardmaster J. R. LEE returned from leave in April, and resumed duty in the Asylum in August.