451
Annexe
F.
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER TO VICTORIA GAOL.
The sanitary condition of the Gaol is satisfactory. Throughout the year there has been no overcrowding. The daily average number of prisoners was only 502, which is about the number the Gaol properly accommodates; however as the daily average number of prisoners located in Belilios Reformatory was 69, the Gaol itself has never been completely filled. The general health of the prisoners has been good. The admissions to Hospital numbered 424, but of these 225 were admitted for observation and found to be malingering, so that there were only 199 admissions for genuine illnesses, a percentage of a little over 3 (4 in 1906) on the total admissions to the Gaol.
There were 20 cases of Dysentery as compared with 38 last year and 29 in 1905.
The cases were distributed throughout the year as follows :-January, 4. February.
1. March, 1. April, 5. May, 2. June, 1. December, 6.
Malaria shows an increase of 34 as compared with last year. The following figures show the number treated in the Gaol Hospital for the past 8 years :-
1900,
1901,
1902,
1903,
1904,
1905,
1906,
1907,
163
98
63
93
59
52
22
56
There were 10 cases of Beri-beri as compared with 3 last year. The disease was in all cases contracted before admission to the Gaol. The total number of out-patients was 607. The principal diseases were Syphilis 29, (Primary, 16). Conjunctivitis, 22. Diseases of the Respiratory System including Pulmonary Consumption, 127. Scabies, 47. Ringworm, 128. Gonorrhea, 6.
One birth occurred in the Female Prison. Mother and child both did well.
Twelve prisoners were discharged on medical grounds. (Leprosy, 3. Plague, 1. Pulmonary Consumption, 2. Insanity, 5. Ruptured Spleen, 1.)
The man who was discharged for Ruptured Spleen, received his injuries before admission to the Gaol. He was removed to the Government Civil Hospital for operation. The case of Plague was also imported.
There were 14 deaths from natural causes and 3 executions.
No case of corporal punishment required any after treatment.
I append the following Tables :-
I. Diseases and Deaths in 1907.
II. Kate of Sickness and Mortality for 1907.
III. Vaccinations in the Gaol during the past ten years.
IV. General Statistics of the Gaol during the past ten years.
WILLIAM B. A. MOORE, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S., (Ireland).