TH
Received
Colonial Surgeon's Report
for 1814-
Atufhing, 8. April 1005.
Mr Mercer
The Rt. Struble R. Cardwell
Inclosure.
1.27
No. 49.
In 27
448
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The Colonial Surgeon's Report, with Returns on the Sanitary Condition of the Colony for the past Year, is published for general information.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 27th March, 1865.
W. H. ALEXANDER, Acting Colonial Secretary.
VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 3rd March, 1865. My Sixth Annual Report on the Sanitary Condition of the Colony, does not contain any startling details of extraordinary amelioration in the rate of mortality, or general salubrity of the population, such as may be found in some of my previous Reports. It has now become an almost universally received opinion that Hongkong has lost its former unenviable reputation for sickness and mortality amongst its residents. If the present year should be passed without any great increase in the death rate, and my Seventh Report be equally favorable with the present, this good opinion becomes strongly backed by statistical evidence, and Hongkong must cease to be a bye word for all that is unhealthy and inimical to European life. It has been my peculiar privilege to record, year by year, the sanitary measures that have been adopted since 1858 with the object of bringing about the present satisfactory condition of matters, and it requires no great trouble to discover that those sanitary measures have been eminently successful. The Tables, which follow in their proper places, exhibit, in a most remark- able manner, the gradual improvement which has taken place since 1858; so marked, indeed, is the difference between the records for 1858 and 1864, that they would appear to refer to a totally different Town. A wise extension of the improvements which have been introduced, from time to time, can only exhibit still better results in future years. The Colony is already rapidly acquiring the reputation of being the sanatarium of China, and a fow inore improvements will really make it so.
It will be observed, that 1861 was a much healthier year than 1863. It was also remarkable as being the mildest sum- mer and the warmest winter since 1858. The thermometer was kept down from March to August by the almost uniuter- rupted fall of rain which prevailed-a fall of rain which fortunately continued until the worst of the hot season was over, and thus escaped the great insalubrity which must have followed the evaporation and miasmatic exhalations caused by intense heat acting upon a saturated soil.
Small pox was more prevalent than it had been during the preceeding six years, and a larger number of cases were admitted into Hospital, there being at one time no less than sixteen cases; but the result of treatment was so satisfactory as
prove that the type was mild. February and March were the months during which it was most common.
to
In March and April Measles became almost epidemic, attacking principally however the better class of inhabitants-only two cases having been admitted into Hospital. Hooping Cough, which had hitherto been very rarely met with in Hongkong, shewed itself in several cases, and proved intractable and even fatal. under my own observation, although six cases are recorded as admitted into the Seaman's Hospital. Dysentery and Diarrhea But that great terror of the East, Cholera, did not come were more prevalent than in 1863, but not proportionally more fatal.
A doubtful case of death from Hydrophobia occurred, to which I should not allude had it not causelessly given great anxiety to the friends of several persons who were bitten-as however there exists a difference of opinion as to the occurrence of the disease in this Colony, it would be a wise precaution to place the numerous dogs nader better control than has hitherto been the case.
Under the succeeding headings my remaining remarks will have reference to the various Institutions which come offici- ally under my cognizance.
I. THE POLICE.
The Police Force of this Colony, notwithstanding the arduous duties it is called upon to perform, and the great exposure to heat and wet to which it is necessarily subjected, is distinguished by marked healthiness. The following Tables make this
very apparent.
Table I. shews the admissions into, and leaths in, the Hospital, of members of the Police Force, during every month of 1864. Table II. shows the rate, per cent, of sickness and mortality of the Force during the same year.
The average strength excveiled that of 1863 by over 12 per cent, this increase being to the extent of nearly 50 per cent in reference to the European element, and yet the deaths in 1804 were less than those in 1863 by 25 per cent. The actual number of admissions into hospital were in excess of those in 1863, but the low death ratio of 1.54 per cent of the admissions, proves that the sickness was not of a serious type.
Venereal disease, which is kept at a miniinni, among the men, by means of the monthly examinations, and the Brothel Ordinance, has undergone a still greater reduction than reported last year. There has also been a similar improvement in respect to the number of impostors, feigning disease, to avoid night duty, or punishment, admitted into hospital.
Nothing can be desired in regard to the clothing of the Force, and when the large contral barracks are completed the quarters will be altogether unexceptionable. Under the circumstances set forth it is natural to find this body of men remark- ably exempt from disease.
Table III., kindly furnished to me by Dr. Dick, the Principal Military Medical Officer, gives a comparative return of the health of the troops serving in Hongkong, from which it will be seen, that, although both the sickness and mortality are much greater than in the Police Force, the mortality rate has not been greater in 1864 than in 1888, while the rate of sick- Less has actually been smaller.
II. THE GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.
I have prepared a series of most instructive tables, in reference to this Institution, which will be found well worthy of careful perusal.
Table IV. gives the unmber of admissions into this Hospital, during the last seven years, with the result of treatment in each case, and as it refers to no less a number than 5,081, affords a basis for statistical deductions.
Table V., which also embraces the Seaman's Hospital and the Gaol, gives fuller particulars, in reference to the Civil Hospital, during the
year 1864,
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