K 53
A noticeable feature of the dispensaries is the frequency with which the neighbouring villagers bring their sick children for medical advice and Western treatment.
J. W. HARTLEY, M.B.,
Railway Medical Officer.
Annexe I
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL LICENTIATE AT TAIPO.
I was on leave from the 8th September until the 7th October. During my absence the Assistant Railway Medical Officer at Tai-po-kau attended cases in the New Territories when called upon.
Statistics.—The total number of new cases during the year was 2,361 as against 1,895 for the previous year. There was an increase in the number of patients as compared with last year. This was chiefly due to the active growing of works in the Railway near Tai-po. The number of patients might have yet been greater but for the month's leave of absence which I took in September during which time the Government Dispensary was closed.
The total number of Old Patients was 468 as against 438 for the previous year. There were 921 cases of Malarial Fever as against 742 last year.
The Dysenteric cases were 29 in number as against 17 last year, and the Beri-beric 24 against 13.
The Railway. Out of the total register of 2,361 patients 812 were Railway employees. At the earlier part of the year and before the arrival of the Assistant Railway Medical Officer at Tai-po-kau, I was called out almost daily to attend patients in the Railway matsheds often many miles away; but only occasional visits are now paid to such places by me.
Leper Asylum.—There were 14 lepers at the beginning of this year. Two of them died in the course of the year. In August two leprous women living in a village not far from the Asylum were admitted on the same day. The older one aged 65, died about a month after admission. 13 lepers were left at the end of the year and 10 of them were supplied with rice every day,
Cottage Hospital.—The total cases treated during the year were 51 as against 32 last year. There was only one woman in this number. The Chinese patients constituted 43 of the whole and Indians 8.
All with the exception of 4 were drawn from the vicinity of the camps on the Railway. Almost four-fifths of the cases admitted were destitute.
Out of the 8 patients suffering from Respiratory Diseases as mentioned in Table III, 5 were with Pneumonia and 3 Phthisis. The Pneumonia cases were admitted in March and April. As they were all in a serious condition on admission, the mortality is very high, i.e., 80%.
There were 15 deaths in the Hospital during the year. Most of these were admitted in a moribund condition as is shown by the following list:—
Cases which died within 24 hours of admission,
11
over 48 hours,
3
Total, 15
Five serious cases were sent to the Tung Wah Hospital. These were as follows:
One case each of Phthisis, Beri-beri and Dysentery, and Ulcer of the foot; and
two cases of Multiple Injuries.
Police Stations.—Seven Stations were visited by me once every two weeks.