1854

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-----

THILLICO.

133/11

200.

201.

COLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1854..

Glimala &c.

Hospital.

The nature of the Climate and Topographical description of Hongkong require no Topography sod remark, both having been (1 presume) fully detailed in former reports; nor is there now any occasion to describe the position of the several Police Stations, with the accommodation of each, such being already well known to the Authorities...........

The Hospital situated at the corner of Graham Street, and for some years past in nee, was shortly after my appointment as Colonial Surgeon, removed to the present Building, as I considered that it did not afford the necessary accommodation, and was further deficient in Ventilation and Drainage, all of which essential requisites the present Building possesses.

The prevalent diseases during the Year have been, as usual, Fever and Bowel complaints. The Intermittent Fever of this Colony in most pertinaciona in its attack, any individual having once suffered being liable to a in- currence of the disease, until the constitution is completely sapped, and the patient reduced to a state of the most distressing debility. The Remittent Fever is less frequent, but more fatal ; it is often the result of the former, but by no means invari- ably so. During the year many cases occurred, but, with the exception of a few fatal ones, the disease was amenable to treatment. During the month of October and November the Fever of the Cold Season (an obscure Remittent) has been unusually prevalent, difficult to check, and the convalescence slow. This class of disease gener ally lays the foundation of some organic affection of the abdominal Viscera, especially the spleen and the liver, the former of which is almost invariably more or less affected, and that after comparatively mild attacks of the primary disease. Under such cir cumstances, no perfect recovery can be expected while the patient remains in the Colony.

Ferers.

Have been of a much milder character than last year, and not so prone to run into Hepatic Affections abscess.

Are extremely common in this climate, and however mild at first, soon saxume a Bowel Affections

most tedious and intractable character. Dysentry, Acute and Chronic, has in some instances resulted fatally, but the total numbers and proportionate mortality have

been under the annual average. Nothing but change of climate, and that immediate, holds out any hope of restoring the patient's health, but this being in most instances impracticable, the obvious consequence is a large mortality from the disease. Diarrhoea has been very prevalent. Stomatitis has in many instances accompanied it, and been frequent as a separate disease. The chlorate of Potash combined with Vegetable Tonics has invariably cured it.

Though not frequent are still to be met with. This climate, from the frequent and sudden changes of Temperature which take place during the cold season, often within a few hours, and the vast disparity between the general temperature of Summer and Winter, is particularly ill fitted for persons with any tendency to disease of the Lungs, and fatal to those in which it actually exista.

In the acute form has also prevailed. Speedy relief has generally been obtained by the local application of Leeching, and large dozes of the lodide of Potas internally.

The Juvenile portion of the community, hitherto almoet entirely exempt from the prevailing diseases, has suffered to an unusual extent from Fever, and one of its most painful and trying sequela Boils, the irritation and pain of which are sufficient to test the equanimity of the most stoical. They have also suffered much from Inter- tinal worms, and diseases directly produced by the irritation of these parasites in the alimentary canal. On the whole, the amount of sickness and mortality may be considered under that of last year. During the hot season, although it set in with much illness, and the range of the Thermometer in July was higher than has been noticed

for several years, yet no unusual mortality resulted. The increase of sickness during the last three months of the year has been undoubtedly owing to the high range of Temperature at midday, with the absence of rain.

Pulmonary Affectious

Pheumatism

The frequent occurrence of epidemics of Small-Poz, is a matter urgently calling Small Pox for the interference of Government. This scourge has again appeared in the Island, caused not by any Sporadic or isolated cases of the disease; but by the obstinate adherence of the Chinese so-called Medical Practitioners to Inoculation. Of the value of Vaccination as a preservative it is needles for me to urge anything in support :-The application of the Law of England to this Island, prohibiting Inoculation of small Pox matter under a penalty, would soon put an end to those outbreaks of

■ pestilence so dangerous to the whole community, European and Native,

Is bere of frequent occurrence, and often of a moat virulent character. To check Venerează Aflection the Disease in this Colony, some prophylactic measure is essentially required, but knowing, as I do, that the present active and zealous Acting Attorney General is preparing a Special Ordinance on the subject, I leave therefore this important sanitary improvement in his able bands.

Having now given a short summary of the chief diseases of the Colony, I shall advert to topics which I consider to be of very great and vital importance, namely Sewerage, Drainage, Ventilation, and Cleanliness, and I do so, the more particularly from the very great influx of Chinese, and consequent increase of Buildings--

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