Constitutions as other places similarly situated within the tropics. The total white population for 1869, including Americans and Portuguese (but exclusive of troops) was 987, and the deaths amounted to 65, showing a mortality of 6.58 per cent, being 2.03 less than in 1848.
The sanitary state of the Gaols is particularly satisfactory. In 1848 the deaths amounted to 5.06 per cent on the average number of Prisoners confined, and this has decreased during that of 1849 to 4.08 per cent. The Inclosure bearing on the subject will show the average number of Prisoners to have been 147, of whom 6 died of incidental diseases.
The average confinement during the year was 12 months, among Europeans, no casualty recurred. With reference to the mortality of the Garrison, your Lordship will perceive from the accompanying Memorandum that the percentage of Deaths to strength for 1849 was 7.90 for the European Troops, and 6.18 for the Indians, or 7.02 per cent for the whole force, being 5.28 less than during 1848, when the European force lost 20.43 and the native force 12.30 per cent on the whole number of Troops, respectively 5.14 per cent.
From the annexed table, your Lordship will observe that out of a population of 17,013, including Victoria and certain Villages, the whole number of ascertained deaths amongst the Chinese was only 104, or 0.61 per cent; but no confidence whatever can be reposed in Returns of this nature, as all who have the means leave the Colony and return to their native places when attacked by any serious disease.
Dr. Morrison's Report, which I have caused to be appended to the Blue Book, contains copious details regarding the Medical statistics of the Colony.