701429-1871-Medical-Report-1870- — Page 4

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 21ST JANUARY, 1871.

I have added in Appendix E. and F., a letter addressed to me by Deputy Inspector General POTTINGER of H. M.'s Naval Hospital; and statistics from Surgeon RAMSAY of H. M.'s 75th Regiment, in reference to the freedom of the men of his regiment from contagious disease. The evidence of these gentlemen is extremely valuable and gratifying to myself, under whose care the medical exa- minations have been carried on for the past twelve years. Both gentlemen have had experience of Hongkong, and known what "Hongkong Disease" was, before the introduction of the Contagious Diseases Ordinance into the Colony-and both agree as to the great contrast. Dr. POTTINGER says: "Judging from my own experience, I should say that Syphilis has all but disappeared from the Colony." Dr. RAMSAY writes: "I may add that during an experience of 16 years as an Army Medical Officer in "all climates, I have not seen a similar immunity.'

"7

Dr. POTTINGER refers to my method of examination and says: "The instruments used by you are "admirably adapted for bringing into view the parts, including the Os and Cervix Uteri, very quickly, "thoroughly and without the least pain to the female." Deputy Inspector Dr. BERNARD wrote to m in 1868: "I was much struck by the method adopted by you, combining as it does an efficient search "ing inspection with great rapidity of execution and appearing to me much better than that mad "with the ordinary speculum." Dr. HEFFERNAN, Deputy Inspector General, writing in regard to the same matter refers to these instruments thus: "I have witnessed this examination as carried out b "you here, and consider it to be done most effectually." Surgeon Major BARNIER of the Frenc Frigate "Guerrière" who had great experience in France, after expressing his opinion as to the "pe "de gravité et du petit nombre des cas de Syphilis contractés par les Européens dans cette ville," say in reference to these instruments: "J'ai vu examiner ces femmes avec un instrument inventé par "Docteur MURRAY, Colonial Surgeon, et j'ai constaté que l'emploi, d'ailleurs tres facile, de cette instr "ment, permet d'examiner en moyenne trois femmes par minute." I have only to add that D NEWTON, who has charge of the Lock Hospitals and the prevention of Syphilis in Japan, uses no oth instruments and writes of them: "They are such effective instruments, much superior to any kind "speculum."

I shall be glad to find that the value of these instruments, which a twelve years' daily use h enabled me to perfect, is appreciated by the Profession and that they are brought into general u as it is impossible to imagine anything that could be used better adapted to the purpose for whi they are intended, or more likely to facilitate the carrying out of the Ordinance with advantage. I two points I have constantly kept in view being rapidity of employment combined with an effect and searching examination, I believe that I have succeeded in attaining these objects. This, howev is no place in which to describe the instruments themselves.

Table XI. shows the approximative estimate of the mortality among the Foreign Residents It does not include Deaths among Soldiers, Sail Hongkong during the past thirteen years. whether of the Navy or Merchant Service, nor those buried from the Hospitals, who are usually r Residents. It has no pretension to accuracy, nor can it be any more than approximative, until so system of Registration of Deaths is introduced. This is a matter of the greatest importance really of more interest to every Resident in the Colony than is generally supposed, for until possible to obtain proper statistics, of the actual mortality and the cause of death, in all case valuable aid is withdrawn from the medical practitioner in the treatment of disease.

Table XII. gives the usual information regarding the work performed by the Inspecto Nuisances attached to this Department.

Table XIII. shows the Annual Mean State of the Atmosphere during the year 1870, as reco at the Government Civil Hospital.

1.-POLICE.

J. I. MURRAY, M.D.,

Colonial Surgeon.

TABLE shewing the ADMISSIONS into HOSPITAL and DEATHS, during the Year 1870.

EUROPEANS.

COLORED.

CHINESE.

TOTAL Admissions.

TO

A

De

MONTHS.

Admissions. Deaths. Admissions.

Deaths. Deaths. Admissions.

January,.

17

1

February,

11

March,

16

April,

11

May,

16

June,

24

1

July,

17

August,

21

September,

8

FARRBBEDAG

1

5

October,

13

November,

16

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45

39

•

8

3

88483866a..g

62

61

81

50

56

50

32

December,

8

Total,

178

4

395

5

38

1

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