477
In regard to Fatal Injuries, these figure largely as causes of death at the Public Mortuary.
Rupture of the spleen is again conspicuous as a cause of death.
Injuries to the liver would also appear to account for a considerable mortality.
The question of the mechanism of ruptures of the abdominal solid viscera is most interesting, and I propose to deal with the subject more or less fully in a subsequent annual report. During the latter part of the year, Dr. KоCH and I commenced a research into the etiology of beri beri. A special report on our
results will be issued.
A considerable number of tumours has also been examined. The majority of these were sent to me by local medical men.
312 cases of plague were examined during 1904. Pathologically the cases bore out the conclusions formulated by me in my Special Report on Epidemic and Epizootic Plague.
The relations, existing between rat and human plague, show the same char- acteristics as found in 1902 and 1903. Epizootic rat plague is followed by epide- mic plague within a week or a fortnight.
DANYSZ's virus is to be used in Hongkong for the destruction of rats. The same virus was used last year in France with colossal success.
The cause of the repeated excessive mortality amongst fowls in the Colony and neighbouring parts of China, has been found to be fowl cholera.
One of the principal chapters of this Report deals with the age incidence of pneumonia. It has been found that pneumonia is more frequently found in children than at any other succeeding equal period of life. Again, the mortality from pneumonia would appear to be largest during the first year of life.
Another part of the Report is devoted to the incidence of typhoid fever amongst the Chinese. The conclusion is drawn that the Chinese suffer from en- teric fever as frequently during adult as during infantile life.
The prevalence and peculiarities of infantile typhoid are also discussed.
The bacteriological examination of a Japanese disinfectant called “Disin- fectol" shows that this preparation is highly valuable as a germicidal agent. It is more effectual, but, at the same time, more expensive than Jeyes' Fluid. The preparation and distribution of vaccine lymph has been successfully prosecuted throughout the past year. The lymph has given universal satisfaction. Its only fault is its limited maintenance of virulence. Its activity would appear to be limit- ed to a period varying from 6 weeks to 2 months. On completion of the Bacteriolo- gical Institute, experiments will be made in regard to this question. New apparatus has been ordered from home and the lymph will be prepared according to the methods adopted in the Government Lymph Laboratories in London.
In con- clusion, I shall like to express my sincere thanks to all who have helped me and rendered valuable assistance.
The Honourable
J. M. ATKINSON, M.B., &c.,
Principal Civil Medical Officer,
&c..
fc.,
I have, &c.,
&c.
WILLIAM HUNTER.
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