112
514
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
1848 resulted from accident, and thus the comparison of deaths from disease in the two years will be as 6, in 1847, is to 14, in 1848.
Table No. 6.—The Number of Prisoners in Victoria Gaol Sick during the Year 1848, the Number under Treatment each Month, the Number of Deaths, &c.
Month Cases admitted in the Month Brought forward from previous Months Total Number of Cases Treated Europeans Indians, &c. Average Number of Sick per diem Duration of Disease Number of Deaths January 3 14 February 11 * March * 12 April 5 * May • 10 June 17 17 250 141 July 11 192 11 18 143 11 August 17 126 114 16 225 14 September 14 9 + October 13 12 November 274 144 84 27 337 12 December 104 23 407 174 134 Total 382 151 121 426 15 14 162 308 15 10 * 145 2 243 88 8The preceding Table shows the actual number of prisoners admitted for treatment during the year to be 162 cases, and the average number under treatment per month to be 20. The deaths were confined to the Malays and Chinese. Two resulted from dysentery in July and August, one from valvular disease of the heart, and five from "hospital gangrene," supervening on slight ulcers, produced by the friction of the irons. The disease called "hospital gangrene," it is proper to say, is contagious and epidemic in its nature, and most decidedly malignant. In one case of gangrene, amputation of the infected limb was tried, but without success. The worst case, after the expiration of the term of imprisonment, was removed to the civil hospital, where the disease rapidly lost its malignant character, and the patient recovered; from which it is evident that removal from the infected atmosphere was the chief remedial measure. It will be observed with interest that the prisoners sustained the unhealthy season with comparative impunity. Amongst the police, the greatest mortality and the most disease prevailed in the months of June, July, August, and September; while, amongst the prisoners, the increase in sickness in those months was not marked, and the deaths were only three in number, from peculiar and specific causes.
Of the 152 cases admitted for treatment, 114 were ulcerations, or contusions on the hands, arms, legs, or feet; 17 were remittent or intermittent fever; 3 were venereal cases; 3, itch; 6, dysentery; 1, hernia; 1, scurvy; 2, colic; 1, rheumatism; 2, ophthalmia.
It will be seen by the following Table, that the proportion of deaths to persons admitted into prison is small.
TABLE No. 7.—The Total Number of Prisoners admitted into the Victoria Gaol during the Year 1848; the Number of Sick, and of Deaths; and the Proportion of Sickness and Mortality to Strength.
Prisoners Admitted Cases of Sickness Deaths Proportion of Sick to Strength Proportion of Deaths 1,093* 152 8 Per Cent. 13.9 Per Cent. 0.7* This number, besides admissions, includes those who remained in prison in January 1848.
The following Table will exhibit the amount of sickness and relative mortality amongst all classes of persons employed by, and under the charge of, Government.