PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
IT
Reference :
C.O. 133
25
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PUBLIC
PECORD CHEE, FO
II. THE GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.
Soie-
Although it has been necessary to provide for the accommodation, and treatment, of nearly twelve hundred patients during the year 1808, I regret to be unable to report, that the proposed new Hospital has yet been begun, or that more space is afforded now, than was found sufficient for the reception of half that number of patients in the year 1860. * thing must certainly be done in this direction without delay; and I believe it might be accomplished by the amalgamation of the Government Civil and Seamen's Hospitals. The latter has received only 249 patients during the past year, and considering the heavy expense of the Staff employed, the Trustees cannot be very anxious to continue their present independent position. If the Seamen's Hospital was hired by the Government, on the understanding that merchant seamen should be always received and treated, the building would suffice for a couple of yours, until the new Hospital could be completed.
In the face of existing difficulties, it is satisfactory to be able to record, that the result of treatment during the past year, has been more successful than during any year since 1862, and in the case of Europeans, more successful than during any previous year.
On reference to Table V, which gives the rate of mortality during the last ten years, distinguishing that in the case of Europeans from Colored persons and Chinese, it will be seen flat in no year registered has the rate been so low among Europeans as during the past ono, when it only reached 2.77 per cent of the cases admitted, or only three fifths of the lowest number ever previously recorded. This favorable result, however, is not limited to Europeans, for the death rate has been lower both sinong Colored persons and Chinese than in 1807.
Tablo IV,-Which gives the number of mlwissing into and the mortality in this Hospital during the year 1809, exhibits the direction in which the improvement luas taken place. Thus no death is recorded from Variola. Diarrhiwa and Dysentery with the same number of admissions as in 1867, have proved to be one third more fatal. The admissions from Hemittent Fever were less numerous, and no fatal case was recorded. Both the admissions and deaths from Ulcer were fewer. Phthisis is mentioned less frequently as the cause of death. Delirium Tremens, Insanity, Apoplexy, Bronchitis and Heart Disease were more prevalent and more fatal than in 1867-while on the other hand, Rupture of the Bladder, Bright's Disease, Poisoning and Wounds did not increase the mortality of 1868. Under the head of Starvation no cases have been entered in this Table, but all patients who were incapable of giving any information at the time of their admission, and who died within twelve hours, have been classed under the term "Moribund,” which accordingly figures in excess of the previous year. All those who lived longer, or could give information on admission, have been classed under the discase from which they die, whether that was ascertained before or after death.
Table VI,-Kindly sent to me by the Resident Surgeon, Dr. Adams, gives the usual information in reference to the Sea- men's Hospital. The missions have greatly fallen off during the past year, lving only 249, while the death rate has increased from 8.95 in 1867 to 9.64 per cent in 1868.
The only point in reference to the treatment of disease which I think it necessary to note, is the great advantage which has been derived from the use of Carbolic Acid. Is compound fractures, where the bones are healthy, it converts them into simple fractures-in sloughing ulcers it produces healthy sores-in carbaneles it removes the decayed tissues and limits the morbid action, rendering this usually formidable disease quite amenable to treatment-in abscesses, as far as I have tried it, the growth of healthy granulations is greatly promoted-in all purulent discharges it is of the greatest servico--and as a disinfectant it is unsurpassed. +
As in former years, much of the credit of the good results attained in this institution is due to the care and assiduity of Dr. Cochran, the Resident Surgeon Superintendent; but the one great dificulty be las to contend with, and which apart from the mere defects of the building, he will continue to find the most embarrassing, is that of obtaining good nursing. The Chinese coolies are altogether unsuited to this employment and are utterly untrustworthy-and the fow Europeans who are willing to serve in the capacity of wardmasters, are generally men who can obtain nothing better, and are only a degree superior, in many respects, to the Chinese. If it were possible to induce the Sisters of Charity to undertake this duty, the benefit would be incalculable.
Table IX-Shews the aumber of admissions into and deaths in the Government Civil Hospital during every month of 1868. During the year, 10 invalids were sent home by the Harbor Master and they all arrived in safety at their destination. III. THE GAOL.
Table VII Shews the number of admissions into the Gnol Hospital, and the deaths there, during the year 1865, with the average number of admissions and deaths during the past eleven years, as a means of comparison.
Table VIII-shows the rate of sickness and mortality in the Gaol Hospital, ns compared with the total number of Prisoners, and with the number treated, during the year 1868. By this Table it will be seen that while the total number of Prisoners has slightly increased, the rate of serious sickness has been less by two thirds, and the rate of mortality a little more than one balf that of the previous year, although the cases (trifling) actually treated have been in excess of those treated during 1867.
The numbers imprisoned in Victoria Gaol, during the past year, were:----
Europeans,
Indians, Chinese,
The daily average was 532, of which number 10 died. average 427 and the deaths 14.
Total,...
016
249
.4,087
.4,982
In 1867 the total number of Prisoners was 4,907: the daily
In 1867 the greatest number any one day in Gaol was on the 14th January, when there were:---
Europeans, Indians, Chinese,
Total,
77
21
...632
...... 730
During the past year the maximum number has been lower and the minimum number slightly in excess of the previous year. Thus, the greatest number confined on any one day in 1809 was on the 8th September, when there were:---
Europeans, Indians, Chinese,
Total,..
91
22
.513
..026
The smallest number in Gaol during the same year was on the 31st December, when there were :-
Europeans, Indians, Chinese,
Total,.
The greatest amount of sickness occurred on the 5th June, when there were:→→→
Hospital cases, *** Trifling casus,..
.. 47
10
382
.439
28
Total,. .........03
The smallest amount of sickness was recorded on the 9th December, when there were:—
Hospital cases, Triffing cases,..
Total,.
2
8
.10
Heers were more prevalent last year than in 1967, but as no deutlis are recorded from this cause, the inference is fair that, they were less severe in character and extent than in the previous year.
As usual, Remittent Fever, Diarrhava and Dysentery, although by no means very prevalent, account for the greatest portion of the mortality.
Shot drill has been introduced since my last Report, principally as a punishment for breaches of Gaol discipline, to which purpose I think it should be confined. I ain certain that its general use would add greatly to the unhealthiness of the Pri souers, and the work in the chain gangs is quite severe enough as a deterrent measure and is more healthy in this climate.
The building is, as usual, in the most perfect order; and the general management under Mr. Douglas's able superintend mee leaves nothing to be desired. A few improvements in regard to Officers quarters, which I understand are under consideration, will make Victoria Gaol a model prison,
IV. THE LOCK HOSPITAL.
On the 1st June the new "Contagions Disease Ordinance" came into operation and the Table (No. XIV) shows the results obtained by its means up to the end of the year 1808.
Table X-Gives the usual'information as to the number of admissions into the Lock Hospital, and the average length of treatment, during every one of the eleven years, it has been in existence.
Both the Naval and Military Medical Officers continue to report favorably, of the comparative immunity from disease, among their men, in consequence of the care taken by the Colonial Authorities, and I add the information afforded by them in the form of an appendix. Luckily it is no longer necessary to justify to the British Public the steps employed to mitigate the wages of sin. The people of Great Britain are now fully alive to the advantage and lawfulness of saving the health of their soldiers and sailors, and, if I am correctly informed, it will not be long before Parliament will have to express an opinion, as to the necessity of extending similar protection to the Civil population, rather than permit the race to deteriorate. Tablo XI-Affords an approximative estimate of the mortality among the Foreign Residents in Hongkong during the past eleven years. The data from which it is compiled are furnished to me, so far as the number of residents is concerned, the Registrar General, sad by the Sextons of the two Cemeteries, so far as the number of deaths are concerned. This Table does not embrace soldiers, sailors whether employed in the Navy or the Merchant service, or those who have been buried from the flospitals. As I have already pointed out, the death rate has never been so small in this Colony, and would appear altogether incredible, when it is remembered that it has reference to that Colony, situated on the verge of the Tropics, the name of which was at one time considered synonymous with all that is pestilential. At the same time it must not be forgotten, that the character of this population is not analogous to that of England, but is principally composed of that class most favo rably circumstanced, both in regard to age and means, to ensure the smallest mortality: besides which, the chronic cases of sickness are generally sent away.
Table XII-Gives the usual information regarding the work performed by the Inspectors of Nuisances attached to this Department.
Table XIII-Shews the annual mean state of the stmosphere during the year 1868, as recorded at the Government Civil Hospital.
J. 1. MURRAY, M.D., Colonial Surgeon.
The Honorable J. GARDINER ÀUSTIK,
Colonial Secrelery.
APPENDIX.
I.
The smallest number were imprisoned on the 20th May, when there were :---
71 .................................................. 18
Europeans, Indians,
Chinese,.......................................................
Total,......
..343
..430
STATION
* The total cubic space of the general wards is only 45,792 feet or 817 for each of the 50 beds--which is one third less than the minimum which should be provided.
+ Bince the above was written the attention of this Government has been directed by the Secretary of State for the Colmics to the bencficial use of this medicine in the treatment of Fever at Mauritius, and I have already been able to mourn the statements pul forward, in two obstinate cans of Fever A sufficient supply is expected from England, to perrait of its periodical employment in eleawing the drain, which had resisted the ordinary treatment.
&e. of the Colony.
From Staff Surgeon George Dirnie Hill, in charge of the “Melville,” R. N. Hospital.
ROYAL NAVAL HOSPITAL, HONGKono, 14th February, 1889.
BIB-In compliance with your wishes I herewith send you the following information relative to the prevalence of Syphilis amongst the ships of War at this Port
Since my appointinent to II. M. 8. Melville in October last, 38 cases of primary and 20 of secondary Syphilis have been treated, they were all contracted either in Japan, Shanghae or Singapore, and not iù one instance can I trace the disease to infection at Hongkong.
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