380
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
45
8.96, against nearly double that amount in 1869. In the garrison, the percentage of primary disease to the total strength was reduced to 5.51, against 6.83 in 1869, and among the British ships of war which have visited this port during the past year, only 116 cases of contagious disease were contracted in Hong Kong. In the Police a similar improvement has taken place, and the percentage of infection has been reduced from 16.66 in 1869 to 13.75 in 1870. Again, in turning to Table X., we find that the type of the disease is undergoing a steady improvement, under the strict surveillance to which the women are subjected; the average number of days of treatment having further diminished from 24.8 in 1869 to 23.1 in 1870. The whole of these Tables, as well as Table XIV., convey a large amount of information, and will well repay a careful study.
I have added, in Appendix E and F, a letter addressed to me by Deputy Inspector-General Pottinger, of H.M.'s Naval Hospital; and statistics from Surgeon Ramsay of H.M.'s 75th Regiment, in reference to the freedom of the men of his regiment from contagious disease. The evidence of these gentlemen is extremely valuable and gratifying to myself, under whose care the medical examinations have been carried on for the past twelve years. Both gentlemen have had experience of Hong Kong, and known what "Hong Kong Disease" was before the introduction of the Contagious Diseases Ordinance into the Colony; and both agree as to the great contrast. Dr. Pottinger says: "Judging from my own experience, I should say that syphilis has all but disappeared from the Colony." Dr. Ramsay writes: "I may add that during an experience of 16 years as an army medical officer in all climates, I have not seen a similar immunity."
Dr. Pottinger refers to my method of examination and says: "The instruments used by you are admirably adapted for bringing into view the parts, including the os and cervix uteri, very quickly, thoroughly, and without the least pain to the female." Deputy Inspector Dr. Bernard wrote to me in 1868: "I was much struck by the method adopted by you, combining as it does an efficient searching inspection with great rapidity of execution, and appearing to me much better than that made with the ordinary speculum." Dr. Heffernan, Deputy Inspector-General, writing in regard to the same matter, refers to these instruments thus: "I have witnessed this examination as carried out by you here, and consider it to be done most effectually." Surgeon Major Barnier, of the French frigate 'Guerrière,' who had great experience in France, after expressing his opinion as to the peu de gravité et du petit nombre des cas de syphilis contractés par les Européens dans cette ville, says in reference to these instruments: "J'ai vu examiner ces femmes avec un instrument inventé par le Docteur Murray, Colonial Surgeon, et j'ai constaté que l'emploi, d'ailleurs très facile, de cet instrument, permet d'examiner en moyenne trois femmes par minute." I have only to add that Dr. Newton, who has charge of the Lock Hospitals and the prevention of syphilis in Japan, uses no other instruments, and writes of them: "They are such effective instruments, much superior to any kind of speculum.
I shall be glad to find that the value of these instruments, which a