414
As regards season-and climatic influences may have something to do with the spread-the following table gives the admissions for each month compared to the number of Police admitted:-
January,
February,
March,
April, May,
June,
July,..
August...
September,
October,
November,
December..
.3.17
5.00
..Nil.
.5.17
.2.27
.1.44
.Nil.
.2,50
..0.90
.1.40
.Nu.
..Nil.
.....
In summer (May to October) 1.34% as against 2.22% in winter (November to April). February and April are the worst months both in the Police and in the General Hospital returns.
Dysentery-13 cases were under treatment, of which 2 were Europeans, 11 Indians and none Chinese, the latter suffering very much less which is also found to be the case in the General Hospital returns. Possibly this may be due to their rarely drinking unboiled water as all evidence points towards dysentery being a water-borne disease in the vast majority of cases.
Beri-beri.-9 cases, all amongst the Chinese section. There were no deaths but 3 were invalided. We are still quite ignorant of the cause of this disease and I regret we have no further light to throw on the subject. The blood and stools of all cases and the cerebro spinal fluid in two were examined microscopically but without any result.
Typhoid Fever. Only one case occurred in the Police during the year, the patient being a European. He recovered and is now doing his duty.
The other ailments (dengue fever, influenza, &c.) call for no special remarks. There were no serious accidents or injuries save one in which a Sergeant as the result of a fall developed gangrene of the toes necessitating partial amputation of the foot. He did well but had to be invalided.
Table II. gives the admissions and deaths during each month of the year. Table III. gives the admissions to hospital from each station for malaria. Exclusive of certain New Territory Stations already dealt with, this table shows a diminution in cases from Central, No. 1, No. 2, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, Tzat Tze Mui, Pokfulam, Water, Shek O and Stonecutters' Island, and an increase from Nos. 3 and 8, Quarry Bay, Shaukiwan, Aberdeen, Stanley, Yaumati, Hung- hom, Tung Ching, Kowloon City, Kennedy Town, and Lamma Island.
GAOL STAFF.
There were 77 admissions out of a staff of 93 or 82.79 per cent. as against 94.50 per cent. in 1902. Two Indians were invalided for tuberculosis and one died of hepatic abscess.
SANITARY DEPARTMENT.
There were 34 admissions as against 64 in 1901. There were no deaths and no cases invalided.
GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.
The total number of admissions was 2,794 as against 3,108 in 1902. The decrease is partly due to fewer cases of dengue and to the fact that, owing to repairs, C. Block has been closed for the last two months thus depriving us of 28 beds.
The total number of out-patients was 11,911 as against 11,815 in 1902. Attached are the following tables:-
Table IV. Showing the admissions and deaths in the hospital during each month.
Table V. Showing the operations performed.
Table VI.
Showing admissions and deaths under respective diseases.