1877 — Page 271

scrofula and phthisis smoking opium, who bad never previously in all their lives been able to afford the expense of a pipe a day, yet the European visitor leaves the establishment attributing to the abuse of opium effects which further enquiry would have satisfied him were due to the diseases for which the patients were in Hospital. From what I have seen there, there is no doubt that the advanced con- sumptive patient does experience considerable temporary relief to his difficult breathing by smoking a pipe of opium, though it is very poor quality of drug that is given to patients at the Tung Wah Hospital. I do not wish to defend the practice of opium smoking, but in the face of the rash opinions and exaggerated statements in respect of this vice, it is only right to record that no China resident believes in the terrible frequency of the dull, sodden witted debilitated opium smoker met with in print, nor linve I found many Europeans who believe they ever get the better of their opium smoking Compradores in matters of business. I have conducted my observations with much interest, as the effects of opium cating were well known to me by my many years' experience in India, and I have been surprised to find the opium smoker differs so much from the opium eater. I am inclined to.the belief that in the popular mind the two have got confused together. Opium smoking bears no comparison with opium cating. The latter is a terrible vice most difficult to cure and showing rapidly very marked constitutional effects in the consumer.

LOCK HOSPITAL..

This institution and the working of the Medical Department of the Contagious Disease Ordinance No. 10 of 1867, is under my personal charge. There have been a few more admissions to Hospital, and the number of examinations have increased by about 700 this year, but the type of disease has not been very severe. Further particulars under this head are contained in Tables E, E2, and E3 appended hereto, and in my private reports to Government on the subject.

A Commission is at present enquiring into the working of the Ordinances, and will shortly. report the results of their investigations.

HEALTH OF THE COLONY.

Table XVI. shows the populacion, mortality and percentage of deaths of the European Community in Hongkong, by which it appears that there were more deaths last year than any of the nine preceding years, though the percentage is not greater than that of the years 1870 and 1871. There was a considerable amount of malarial fever, chiefly among the residents at Kowloon, which may perhaps partly account for the increased sickness among the Garrison, as many of the Troops were stationed there. Table XVIII. gives the annual Atmospheric Report, showing a greater heat than has been experienced in the past eight years, and a very considerable decrease in the rainfall, which as indicated in my report of 1873 is commonly accompanied by a greater mortality. The records of the Government Civil Hospital and those of the Tung Wah Hospital, do not show any excess of climatic disease.

SANITATION.

Table XVII. shows the work done by the Inspectors of Nuisances during the year. Though there is a considerable increase in the number of persons fined, the amount of the fines collected is hardly one third that of last year. This is principally owing to the new Government Scavenging Contractor having performed his duties more satisfactorily than his predecessor; last year his fines were very heavy in consequence of the inefficient way the contract was carried out. Little more need be said than has been mentioned in previous reports, which have pointed out the state of the drains, the markets, the Chinese dwelling houses, the keeping of cattle and pigs in dwelling houses, &c. It is to be hoped something may be done with the markets, especially the Central and Western markets, which are a disgrace to the Colony. It would also be a great boon to the poorer classes of the Chinese, if the Government could provide small patches of leveled ground in different parts of the suburbs of Victoria, on which they might be allowed to build pig-sties, on condition of their being kept clean and in good order. This I think might be accomplished, and the advantage to the poorer class, who depend entirely on the keeping of pigs for their living, would be very great.

I have the honour to be,

The Honourable

J. M. PRICE,

Acting Colonial Secretary.

Sir, Your most obedient

Servant,

PH. B. C. AYRES, Colonial Surgeon.