M 53
Annexe H.
VICTORIA GAOL.
REPORT BY DR. C. W. MCKENNY, Medical Officer.
Buildings.-The buildings have been maintained in good sanitary condition. The printing shop has been enlarged and its lighting and ventilation have been much improved.
A more modern sanitary bucket has now, to a large extent, replaced the former pattern.
Special inspections. In addition to the ordinary medical inspection of all prisoners, special inspections are made of those prisoners who are allotted to the cooking and washing departments. The object of this is to ensure that not only shall each prisoner be personally fit for the work undertaken but also unlikely to spread disease.
Staff and routine.-No changes have been made.
Health of the prisoners.-This can readily and justly be estimated by considering the following facts:—
(1) Number of deaths.
Four deaths from disease took place. The causes were as follows:-
Phthisis, 2
Pneumonia, 1
Beri-beri, 1
During the last ten years the highest death rate occurred in 1906, when it was nineteen. The present number is the lowest. The average annual death rate for the period is 10.3.
(2) Prisoners liberated for medical reasons.
Nine prisoners were so discharged for the following reasons:—
Insanity, 5
Leprosy, 2
Dysentery, 1
Beri-beri, 1
The annual average number of prisoners so treated during the past decade was 15.5. The lowest number occurred this year and the highest (23) in 1909.
(3) Occurrence of certain specific diseases.
Typhoid Fever-Three cases were admitted with no death. This small figure is of importance as among a population such as is found in the gaol or indeed among any large body of persons, living