6.73.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Annual Report of the Colonial Surgeon, with Returns annexed, for the year 1874, published for general information.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 16th April, 1875.
CECIL C. SMITII, Acting Colonial Secretary.
GOVERNMENT 'CIVIL HOSPITAL,
HONGKONG, 5th April; 1875.
SIR,-I have the honor to forward my Annual Report for the year 1874 concerning the health the Colony and the working of the different establishinents under my supervision.
This year, the first of my service in the Colony, I have gained considerable experience to guide se in making this Report, for I made long and careful sanitary inspections of the town, both at the eginning and end of the year.
I made two Reports to Government, the result of my sanitary inspections of the town and brothels the beginning of the year, and this winter another series of inspections have been made in company pth Mr. PRICE, the Surveyor General, who has kindly given ine the benefit of his experience in draw- ng my attention to many things he considered worthy of note. I have also to thank the Officers in harge of the different Departments for nuch information requisite for making up the accompanying
Keturns.
POLICE.
The health of the Police is much improved. Table I. shows that the admissions this year to Hos- ital have been less by 130, as compared with 1873, though that year was good when compared with revious years.
The Indians have suffered most, principally from mild attacks of Intermittent Fever, Diarrhoea, nd affections of the respiratory orgaus. Many of them suffer from Intermittent Fever in their own ountry before coming here, and the cases recorded have been mostly repetitions of previous attacks, and of quite a mild type. Those that have been brought over this year have been a stronger and etter built set of men, and more care has been apparent in their selection. I had occasion last year my Report to bring to notice the deficiency in this respect of many of the recruits, and I am glad sce with good results.
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The admissions among the Europeans and Chinese have been principally from slight attacks of Intermittent Fever, and slight injuries received in execution of their duties.
Table II. shows the strength of the Force as compared with the sickness and mortality. The deaths in Hospital have been 8, as compared with 11 in 1873. Four other deaths occurred, of inen who were not under treatment in Hospital. Three of them from causes not under control, and one while
way on leave. These deaths are specially noticed in Table II.
In Table E. is seen the number admitted to Hospital for venereal disease being 21, as compared With 59 in 1873, this will be referred to under the head of Lock Hospital.
TROOPS.
Table III. gives the strength, sickness and mortality of the Troops in Hongkong in 1874. Last year the rate of sickness and mortality had much diminished as compared with previous years. This year the admissions to Hospital, as compared with 1873, have been 379 less in number, showing a still further improvement; and the number of deaths have been 4 less than last year.
The adinissions to Hospital for venereal disease this year have been only 65, against 223 in 1873; of these, 4 cases only were Primary Syphilis and 50 Uncomplicated Gonorrhoea (see Table E).
GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.
I am happy to say soine progress has been made towards building a new Civil Hospital, the site has been prepared, and the plans have arrived from England. That it is badly wanted, what I have to By under this head will show.