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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 21st JANUARY, 1371.
either with ordinary soil, obtained from the hill side, or with muddy shingle, taken from the beach:" "eight of the ships so ballasted had typhus fever on board." "It is significant that (although cases of typhus had occurred on shore at Yokohama where the crews might have been infected) no typhus fever was reported while the vessels had cargo on board, general, or otherwise." Now as Shanghai mud is unquestionably "tidal" and the ballast obtained at Yokohama was not strictly of this character, there does not appear to be any strong evidence afforded in the cases recorded, in favor of the theory that it is a frequent source of typhus.
In the winter of 1869-70 there were very few cases of Small Pox reported, but in December last, they commenced to appear, and by the end of the year there had been 14 cases admitted into the Government Civil Hospital, and 46 into the Seamen's Hospital, besides 7 in the Gaol. Since the beginning of the year the discase has been rapidly approaching an epidemic form, in spite of every precaution taken by the Police to prevent its spreading.
No other epidemic visited the Colony during the past year. ·
I. THE POLICE.
Although both the rate of sickness and the rate of mortality of this Force have been higher than in the previous year, it is not much above what it was in 1868, nor greatly in excess of the average
rate.
Table I. shows the number of admissions into, and deaths in, the Hospital, of members of the Police Force, during every month of 1870. The greatest number of admissions took place in August, but the greatest number of Europeans were admitted in June.
Table II. shows the rate per cent of sickness and mortality of the Force during the same year. Table III. shows the state of the health of the Troops serving in Hongkong during the year 1870 not to have been so good as in 1869, nor to compare as favorably with that of the Police, as it did in the previous year.
II. THE GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.
There is no Institution in this Colony with which I am connected, that I have less satisfaction in referring to. I do not complain of the management, or the staff of the Hospital, for under Dr. YOUNG'S vigilant superintendence, the results are most satisfactory, but the building is quite unfit for the pur- pose to which it is applied, both in regard to size and construction. During the past year no less than 1,996 cases have been treated in the present structure, which is neither large enough for, nor adapted to, the treatment of one third of that number. There is, therefore, great reason for thankful- ness that the rate of mortality has been less than in the previous year, although it exceeded that of 1868.
Table V., which gives the rate of mortality during the last twelve years, distinguishing that of Europeans from colored persons and Chinese, shows at a glance that the general mortality has not reached the average, except in the case of colored persons; that the rate of mortality is still much higher than it was in 1868 among Europeans, somewhat lower among colored persons, and about the same as it was that year among Chinese.
By examining Table IV., which gives the number of admissions into, and the mortality in this. Hospital during the year 1870, it will be seen that the admissions have increased under the heading of Small Pox, Diarrhoea and Dysentery, Fevers, Gonorrhoea, Vertigo, Pneumonia, Pleuro Pneumonia and Pleuritis, Hepatitis and Splinitis, Drunkenness, and lastly Impostors. The increased mortality resulted from Small Pox, Remittent and Typhoid Fever, Dropsy, Pneumonia, Hepatitis and Abscess of the Liver, Ancemia, Fractures and Gun-shot Wounds. There have been fewer admissions from Phthisis, Paralysis and Delirium Tremens, Bronchitis, Colic, and notably both fewer admissions and deaths from Jaundice and from all forms of Wounds, except Gun-shot Wounds. There have also been fewer moribund persons sent to Hospital, many, doubtless, having been taken to the "I-tze."
Table IX. shows the number of admissions into, and deaths in, the Government Civil Hospital during every month of 1870.
During the year, 6 invalids were sent home by the Harbor Master and the United States' Consul, and I understand they all arrived in safety at their destination.
Table VI., A, B and C, kindly sent to me by the Resident Surgeon, Dr. ADAMS, gives similar information in reference to the Seamen's Hospital, as the preceding tables give for the Civil Hospital. The result of treatment has been eminently successful during the year, and the tables are exceedingly satisfactory in consequence.
the
III. THE GAOL.
Table VII. shows the number of admissions into the Gaol Hospital, and the deaths there, during year 1870.
Table VIII. shows the rate of sickness and mortality in the Gaol Hospital, as compared with the total number of prisoners, and with the number treated during the year 1870. By this table it will be seen that the total number of prisoners is greater than in 1869, that the rate of sickness was also greater, but the rate of mortality 25 per cent less than in the previous year-less in absolute number than I have recorded since 1859, when there was a total of 2,484 Prisoners, a daily average of 239, and 4 deaths.
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