:
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 3RD APRIL, 1869.
ag the past year the maximum number has been lower and the minimum number slightly in excess of the previous nus, the greatest number confined on any one day in 1868 was on the 8th September, when there were:→
Europeans, Indians, Chinese,
Total,.
91
22
513
626
The smallest number in Gaol during the same year was on the 31st December, when there were:---
Europeans, Indians, Chinese,
47
10
.382
Total,..
..439
The greatest amount of sickness occurred on the 5th June, when there were :-
Hospital cases, Trifling cases,.
.25
..28
Total,.
53
The smallest amount of sickness was recorded on the 9th December, when there were:-
Hospital cases,
Trifling cases,、、
Total,..
2
8
.10
Ulcers were more prevalent last year than in 1867, but as no deaths are recorded from this cause, the inference is fair that, they were less severe in character and extent than in the previous year.
As usual, Remittent Fever, Diarrhoea and Dysentery, although by no means very prevalent, account for the greatest portion of the mortality.
Shot drill has been introduced since my last Report, principally as a punishment for breaches of Gaol discipline, to which purpose I think it should be confined. I am certain that its general use would add greatly to the unhealthiness of the Pri- soners, and the work in the chain gangs is quite severe enough as a deterrent measure and is more healthy in this climate.
The building is, as usual, in the most perfect order; and the general management under Mr. Douglas's able superintend- ence leaves nothing to be desired. A few improvements in regard to Officers quarters, which I understand are under consideration, will make Victoria Gaol a model prison.
IV. THE LOCK HOSPITAL.
On the 1st June the new "Contagious Disease Ordinance" came into operation and the Table (No. XIV) shews the results obtained by its means up to the end of the year 1868.
Table X-Gives the usual information as to the number of admissions into the Lock Hospital, and the average length of treatment, during every one of the eleven years, it has been in existence.
Both the Naval and Military Medical Officers continue to report favorably, of the comparative immunity from disease, among their men, in consequence of the care taken by the Colonial Authorities, and I add the information afforded by them in the form of an appendix." Luckily it is no longer necessary to justify to the British Public the steps employed to mitigate the wages of sin. The people of Great Britain are now fully alive to the advantage and lawfulness of saving the health of their soldiers and sailors, and, if I am correctly informed, it will not be long before Parliament will have to express an opinion, as to the necessity of extending similar protection to the Civil population, rather than permit the race to deteriorate. Table XI-Affords an approximative estimate of the mortality among the Foreign Residents in Hongkong during the past eleven years. The data from which it is compiled are furnished to me, so far as the number of residents is concerned, by the Registrar General, and by the Sextons of the two Cemeteries, so far as the number of deaths are concerned. This Table does not embrace soldiers, sailors whether employed in the Navy or the Merchant service, or those who have been buried from the Hospitals. As I have already pointed out, the death rate has never been so small in this Colony, and would appear altogether incredible, when it is remembered that it has reference to that Colony, situated on the verge of the Tropics, the name of which was at one time considered synonymous with all that is pestilential. At the same time it must not be forgotten, that the character of this population is not analogous to that of England, but is principally composed of that class most favo- rably circumstanced, both in regard to age and means, to ensure the smallest mortality: besides which, the chronic cases of sickness are generally sent away.
Table XII-Gives the usual information regarding the work performed by the Inspectors of Nuisances attached to this Department.
Table XIII-Shews the annual mean state of the atmosphere during the year 1868, as recorded at the Government Civil Hospital.
J. I. MURRAY, M.D., Colonial Surgeon.
The Honorable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Colonial Secretary.
APPENDIX.
I.
From Staff Surgeon George Birnie Hill, in charge of the "Melville," R. N. Hospital.
ROYAL NAVAL HOSPITAL, HONGKONG, 14th February, 1869.
SIR,-In compliance with your wishes I herewith send you the following information relative to the prevalence of Syphilis • amongst the ships of War at this Port.
Since my appointment to H. M. S. Melville in October last, 38 cases of primary and 20 of secondary Syphilis have been treated, they were all contracted either in Japan, Shanghae or Singapore, and not in one instance can I trace the disease to infection at Hongkong.
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