M 49
Annexe H.
VICTORIA GAOL.
REPORT BY DR. C. W. MCKENNY, Medical Officer. Buildings.-The buildings have been maintained in good sanitary condition. A new hall containing 78 cells has been added.
Some minor alterations have been effected in the hospital.
Staff and routine.-- No changes have been made.
Health of the prisoners.-The health of the prisoners has been satisfactory. It may be estimated by considering the following details:-
(1) Number of deaths.
Eight deaths from disease took place. The causes were as follows:
Tuberculosis, 3
Pneumonia, 2
Cancer, 1
Heart disease, 1
Cerebral thrombosis, 1
The average death rate for the decade 1905-15 was 10.3.
(2) Prisoners liberated for medical reasons.
Eleven prisoners were so discharged for the following reasons:
Phthisis, 5
Leprosy, 5
Heart disease, 1
The average for the decade 1905-15 was 15.5.
One prisoner, suffering from acute appendicitis, was sent for operation to the Civil Hospital where he subsequently died.
(3) Occurrence of certain specific diseases.
Typhoid Fever.—Sixteen cases were admitted with no deaths (3 in 1915). There is therefore an increase in the number of cases compared with last year but considering the number of prisoners living necessarily in close association and the increase in the accuracy of diagnosis the result is not unsatisfactory, in addition to which several prisoners were admitted to gaol suffering from the disease.
Dysentery. Three cases were admitted with no deaths (10 in 1915). The remarks made with regard to typhoid fever may with equal justice be made in connection with dysentery.
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