1868 — Page 140

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

133

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

25 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

[254]

[4]

classes deserve all the evils they meet with in such places. Even adınitting this, for the purposes of argument, experience dictates the reply, that it is utterly impossible to say where Brothels for one class end, and where those for another class begin. Those who make such an objection have very little idea of the complications and ramifications of the Chinese Brothel system here; compli- cations which demand the utmost thoroughness of regulation. I must not, however, be misunderstood as meaning an advocacy of a wholesale examination of the numerous houses which receive Chinese only. This question is, I believe, settled; and I am glad that it is settled as it is. With ordinary vigilance such examination is uncalled for, it would also involve the Government in a very perplexing and endless strife with Chinese prejudice.

1. It only remains to speak of the results of the Ordinance in regard to the Army, Navy and Police. Considering, however, that at least half the year had expired before Ordinance No. 10 of 1867 was fairly got into working order, it is a little premature to look for results of its more stringent provisions. Next year, when a whole Twelve Months can be reported on, it is hoped that even our present low percentage of Disease will be considerably lessened. It is pleasing, however, to find that the precautions taken during the past year, whether under the old or new Ordinance, have kept down the rate of Disease, as the following facts, taken from Dr. MURRAY's report will shew.

1. In the Army, the percentage of Men admitted into Hospital on account of Venereal Disease was 9.17 of the strength. It had been 9.32 in 1867. And during last year several changes of Regiments and new arrivals took place.

1. Dr. Hill, Naval Staff Surgeon in charge, writes to the Colonial Surgeon as follows (February 14th, 1869.) "Since my appointment to H. M. S. 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 in one instance can I trace the disease to infection at Hongkong." Dr. Hill further states that during the previous nine months of the year, 58 cases had been treated, all of which there is reason to believe were the result of leave granted to the men of H. M. S. Rodney in Japan. On board the Princess Charlotte there were 27 cases during the year, "but these patients," says Dr. Hill, “were in general "recently arrived on the Station, and were ignorant of the locality. On the other "hand, the older and more careful residents were rarely unfortunate.”

It must be evident that ships coming down from Japan are a great source of Contagious Diseases in this place.

1. In the Police Force a percentage of 14.13 in 1867 has risen to 16.58 last year.

Dr. Murray has informed me, that he considers this increase to be due to a defective system of examination, whereby men on duty at out-stations where they not improbably contract disease, are excused from the medical roll- call. If this be so, I do not doubt but that it will soon be remedied, now that the attention of His Excellency the Governor has been called to the point, and that the percentage will again begin to decrease.

1. Independently, however, of mere percentages of discase, Dr. Murray's returns shew that the virulence of Venereal complaints in this Colony, and the average periods of consequent detention in Hospital are steadily decreasing. This must not be forgotten in a consideration of the figures given above, nor the state of things from which this improvement has been won. It may not be out

[200]

[5]

129

of place here to recall such facts as, that in 1853-54, there occurred, in twelve months, in the Naval Squadron here alone, 288 cases of Venereal Disease, not including out-patients, nor taking any account of Tertiary symptoms. How serious these were may be well seen in the Reports of the then Surgeons to the Squadron, who stated, that numbers of young men, who left Eugland robust and healthy, were utterly shattered in constitution, some even dying, from the results of Syphilis contracted in Hongkong. On board of the flag ship Winchester (1854) a general leave of 48 hours produced "between 40 and 50 cases, some exceedingly bad," and other ships were in the same condition. On board H. M. S. Spartan occasional leave had been the means, within two months, of infecting six per cent of the ship's company, not including Secondary nor Tertiary forms of the disease, whilst in Malta, where there was inspection, leaves under similar cir- cumstances only produced 1 per cent of infection. In 1855-57, Surgeons described the ravages of Syphilis in Hongkong as "too dreadful to detail.” I also find in medical papers of that time such expressions as "the most aggravated forms of Disease I have ever seen," "Syphilitic Diseases more terrible than in any other part of the world,” etc., and I believe it is a fact that “Hongkong Fever" was a coarse but common phrase, used as a synonyme for Syphilis.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,"

"ALFRED LISTER,

Acting Registrar General.

Page 140Page 141