707045-1869-GOVERNMENT-NOTIFICATION-NO-39 — Page 2

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 3RD APRIL, 1869.

II. THE GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.

h

L

Although it has been necessary to provide for the accommodation, and treatment, of nearly twelve hundred during the year 1868, I regret to be unable to report, that the proposed new Hospital has yet been begun, or that space is afforded now, than was found sufficient for the reception of half that number of patients in the year 1860. * thing must certainly be done in this direction without delay; and I believe it right be accomplished by the amalgama of the Government Civil and Seamen's Hospitals. The latter has received only 249 patients during the past year, considering the heavy expense of the Staff employed, the Trustees cannot be very anxious to continue their present independe. position. If the Seamen's Hospital was hired by the Government, on the understanding that merchant seamen should b always received and treated, the building would suffice for a couple of years, until the new Hospital could be completed.

In the face of existing difficulties, it is satisfactory to be able to record, that the result of treatment during the past year, has been more successful than during any year since 1862, and in the case of Europeans, more successful than during any previous year.

On reference to Table V, which gives the rate of mortality during the last ten years, distinguishing that in the case of Europeans from Colored persons and Chinese, it will be seen that in no year registered has the rate been so low among Europeans as during the past one, when it only reached 2.77 per cent of the cases admitted, or only three fifths of the lowest number ever previously recorded. This favorable result, however, is not limited to Europeans, for the death rate has been lower both among Colored persons and Chinese than in 1867.

Table IV,—Which gives the number of admissions into and the mortality in this Hospital during the year 1868, exhibits the direction in which the improvement has taken place. Thus no death is recorded from Variola. Diarrhea and Dysentery with the same number of admissions as in 1867, have proved to be one third more fatal. The admissions from Remittent Fever were less numerous, and no fatal case was recorded. Both the admissions and deaths from Ulcer were fewer. Phthisis is mentioned less frequently as the cause of death. Delirium Tremens, Insanity, Apoplexy, Bronchitis and Heart Disease were more prevalent and more fatal than in 1867-while on the other hand, Rupture of the Bladder, Bright's Disease, Poisoning and Wounds did not increase the mortality of 1868. Under the head of Starvation no cases have been entered in this Table, but all patients who were incapable of giving any information at the time of their admission, and who died within twelve hours, have been classed under the term "Moribund," which accordingly figures in excess of the previous year. All those who lived longer, or could give information on admission, have been classed under the disease from which they died, whether that was ascertained before or after death.

Table VI,-Kindly sent to me by the Resident Surgeon, Dr. Adams, gives the usual information in reference to the Sea- men's Hospital. The admissions have greatly fallen off during the past year, being only 249, while the death rate has increased from 8.95 in 1867 to 9.64 per cent in 1868.

The only point in reference to the treatment of disease which I think it necessary to note, is the great advantage which has been derived from the use of Carbolic Acid. In compound fractures, where the bones are healthy, it converts them into simple fractures-in sloughing ulcers it produces healthy sores-in carbuncles it removes the decayed tissues and limits the morbid action, rendering this usually formidable disease quite amenable to treatment-in abscesses, as far as I have tried it, the growth of healthy granulations is greatly promoted-in all purulent discharges it is of the greatest service-and as a disinfectant it is unsurpassed. †

As in former years, much of the credit of the good results attained in this institution is due to the care and assiduity of Dr. Cochran, the Resident Surgeon Superintendent; but the one great difficulty he has to contend with, and which apart from the mere defects of the building, he will continue to find the most embarrassing, is that of obtaining good nursing. The Chinese coolies are altogether unsuited to this employment and are utterly untrustworthy--and the few Europeans who are willing to serve in the capacity of wardmasters, are generally men who can obtain nothing better, and are only a degree superior, in many respects, to the Chinese. If it were possible to induce the Sisters of Charity to undertake this duty, the benefit would be incalculable.

Table IX-Shews the number of admissions into and deaths in the Government Civil Hospital during every month of 1868. During the year, 10 invalids were sent home by the Harbor Master and they all arrived in safety at their destination. III. THE GAOL.

Table VII Shews the number of admissions into the Gaol Hospital, and the deaths there, during the year 1868, with the average number of admissions and deaths during the past eleven years, as a means of comparison.

Table VIII-shews 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 1868. By this Table it will be seen that while the total number of Prisoners has slightly increased, the rate of serious sickness has been less by two thirds, and the rate of mortality a little more than one half that of the previous year, although the cases (trifling) actually treated have been in excess of those treated during 1867.

The numbers imprisoned in Victoria Gaol, during the past year, were:—

Europeans,. Indians, Chinese,

Total,.

646

249

.4,087

.4,982

The daily average was 532, of which number 10 died. In 1867 the total number of Prisoners was 4,907: the daily average 427 and the deaths 14.

In 1867 the greatest number any one day in Gaol was on the 14th January, when there were:-

Europeans, Indians, Chinese,

77

21

.632

Total,.

730

The smallest number were imprisoned on the 20th May, when there were:-

Europeans, Indians, Chinese,

Total,..

71

16

.343

.430

* The total cubic space of the general wards is only 45,792 feet or 817 for each of the 56 beds which is one third less than the minimum which should be provided.

† Since the above was written the attention of this Government has been directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the beneficial use of this medicine in the treatment of Fever at Mauritius, and I have already been able to confirm the statements put forward, in two obstinate cases of Fever which had resisted the ordinary treatment. A sufficient supply is expected from England, to permit of its periodical employment in cleansing the drains, &c. of the Colony.