CO129-189 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [7-9] — Page 91

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To Governinent Printer.

Proof to be sent to re.

C. C. Smith,

Acting Colonial Secrrury.

GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL,

HONGKONG, 5th April, 1875. SIR,-I have the honour to forward my Annual Report, for the year 1874, concerning the health of the Colony and the working of the different establishments under my supervision.

This year, the first of my service in the Colony, I have gained considerable experience to guide me in making this Report, for I made long and careful sanitary inspections of the town, both at the beginning and end of the year.

I made two Reports to Government, the result of my sanitary inspections of the town and brothels at the beginning of the year, and this winter another series of inspections have been made in company with Mr. PRICE, the Surveyor General, who has kindly given me the benefit of his experience in draw-

I have also to thank the Officers in- ing my attention to many things he considered worthy of note. charge of the differcut Departments for much information requisite for making up the accompanying Returns.

POLICE.

year to Hos

The health of the Police is much improved. Table 1. shows that the admissions this pital have been less by 130, as compared with 1873, though that year was good when compared with previous years.

The Indians have suffered most, principally from mild attacks of Intermittent Fever, Diarrhea, and affections of the respiratory organs. Many of them suffer from Intermittent Fever in their own country 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 your have been a stronger and better built set of men, and more care has been apparent in their selection. I had occasion last year in my Report to bring to notice the deficiency in this respect of many of the recruits, and, I am glad to see, with good results.

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 S, as compared with 11 in 1873. Four other deaths occurred, of men who were not under treatment in Hospital. Three of them from causes not under control, and one while away on leave. These deaths are specially noticed in Table 11.

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.

Last This

Table III. gives the strength, sickness and mortality of the Troops in Hongkong in 1874. year the rate of sickness and mortality had much diminished as compared with previous years. year the admissions to Hospital, as compared with 1873, have been 579 less in number, showing a still further improvement; and the number of deaths have been 4 less than last year.

The admissions 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 Gonorrhea (see Table E). GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.

I am happy to say some 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 say under this head will show.

The working of this establishment has been exceedingly good, under the able superintendence of Dr. WHARRY, and also, during his absence on three months' leave, of Dr. W. C. S. CLAPHAM.

With the Wardinasters, considerable trouble has been experienced. Two were dismissed for drunkenness, and one resigned after serving his probationary term, dissatisfied with the appointment.

As a

For considera

I drew special attention to these appointments in my last Report, as I considered them underpaid, and therefore not likely to attract the class of men required, or rendering them disgusted with their posts. The work is arduous and disagreeable, and requires a great amount of patience and tact. rule, the newcomers are perfectly ignorant of their duties, and it is for the interest of the Establish- ment and the comfort of the patients that changes in these appointments should be, rare, and the holders a superior class of men. The other subordinates have worked well. I desire specially to mention the Apothecary, Mr. A. A. BOTELHO, who has served in his present capacity over 20 years, and, tion when next I think, he is much overworked. All the books, accounts, &c., are kept by him, iu addi- Estimates are tion to his duties in the Dispensary, and though he has done his work exceedingly well, much improve- ment is to be desired in the keeping of the Hospital Records, &c. This cannot be obtained unless a clerk is allowed, and I would recommend that a Chinese clerk should be obtained, for it is quite impossible for any one man to do the work required of Mr. BOTELHO, with the efficiency to be desired,

work as hard as he may,

prepared.

The number of admissions to the Hospital has somewhat decreased this year, being 829, as com- pared with 952 in 1873. Of these, 18 cases were moribund when brought to Hospital. The decrease in the number of admissions is specially worthy of notice, as it is owing entirely to the decrease of admissions from the Police Force, which I have before brought to notice. The number of patients ad- mitted, exclusive of Police and venereal cases, was 481, as compared with 404 in 1873; these numbers represent scamen, destitutes, and paying patients.

Table IV. shows the varieties of disease and their relative frequency; the increase in the number of deaths being chiefly due to Phthisis, Fever, Intestinal Affections, and Surgical Injuries. Five of the deaths set down under the head of Chinese, from Remittent Fever, and two under the same head from Typhoid, were women brought from the licensed brothels, and occurred at the beginning of the year; these I shall refer to hereafter.