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During the past year a considerable amount of attention has been directed to pathological research, combined with bacteriological tests where necessary.
The question of the rarity of Enteric Fever amongst the Chinese is more apparent than real.
The habit of the natives in leaving for their homes when prodromal sigus of disease assert themselves has, in my opinion, much to do with the apparent rarity of the disease in Hongkong.
An interesting case of Sloughing Phagedana was examined at the Mortuary. The bacteriological examination of the case was negative.
Plague has been dealt with as shortly as possible, as it is proposed to deal with the subject in a special Report containing a resumé of research and experi mental work done during 1503.
Quite a number of cases of Liver Abscess has been met with and my results show the negative results obtained by bacteriological examination, the occurrence of the disease in children and in females, and the possibility of the presence of isolated small abscess foci in cases of so called large solitary abscess of the liver.
The subject of Endocarditis has been much in evidence during the past year. Six cases have been found and in one of these the Micrococcus Gonorrhea was the causal agent of the disease. The case has been gone into with care as these are by no means common at the present day.
The subject of Tuberculosis forms one of the most complete chapters in the Report.
The modes of infection have been discussed in the presence of cases.
It would appear from my results that Tuberculosis of the intestines in children is of the rarest possible occurrence.
The question of food as a factor of infection in Tuberculosis appears to me to be grossly exaggerated.
The etiology of Beri-beri still remains a dark chapter. An interesting finl is the occurrence of the disease or something very similar in young children.
101,056 rats have been examined bacteriologically. Of these, 3,744 were found to be infected with Plague.
A large number of other animals have been examined for Plague with positive results in many instances.
The question of the confusion of Fowl Cholera with Plague in the absence of a detailed examination arose, It is proposed to go more fully into the matter.
The results of 812 necropsies on children under 5 years of age are given and from my investigations, certain conclusions are drawn which I consider of great interest and importance.
The condition of the Thymus gland and its relation to the condition of Marasinus and the general nutrition of the body is discussed with satisfactory results. The preparation of Small-pox Vaccine has been successfully prosecuted. 7,074 tubes were prepared during the year, an increase over 1902 of 3,422. A great increase in the sale of lymph was noted during the year. Compared with 1902, there was an increase of 1,841 tubes, and a similar increase of $584 paid into the Bank. So far as I know the lymph has given satisfactory results and has been in demand not only in Hongkong but also in ports along the Coast.
A Cattle Disease was investigated during the year. A preliminary Report was published by Mr. Grusox and myself, showing the disease to be a form of Septicamia Hæmorrhagica and to have no connection with what is known as True Rinderpest. A considerable amount of ordinary routine Imcteriological work has been done. In conclusion. I should like to express my sincere thanks to all who have helped me and rendered assistance and also to members of my staff who have performed their duties to my satisfaction.
I have, &c.,
WILLIAM HUNTER.
The Honourable
J. M. ATKINSON, M.B.,
·
Principal Civil Medical Officer,
etc.. etc.
etc.