56
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 22ND FEBRUARY, 1868.
Table XVII-Shews the number of dead bodies brought to the Government Civil Hospital for examination, with the cause of death in all cases where it could be ascertained. It will be observed that 12 are entered under the head of suffocation, caused by the numerous landslips which took place last year, 14 under the head of drowning, the result, to a great extent, of the two typhoons by which the Colony was visited.
III. THE GAOL.
Table VII Shews the number of admissions into the Gaol Hospital, and deaths there, during the year 1867, with the average number of admissions and deaths during the past 10 years, as a means of comparison.
Table VIII-Shows the rate of sickness and mortality in the Gaol Hospital,
prisoners, and with the number treated, during the year 1867.
The numbers imprisoned in Victoria Gaol, during the past year, were:
compared with the total number of
Europeans
Indians
Chinese
665
114
.4,128
Total
.4,907
The daily average was 4271, of which number 14 died. In 1866 the total number of prisoners was 5,461: the daily average 58425, and the deaths 70. In 1866 the greatest number any one day in Gaol was on the 13th November, when there were:
Europeans Indians Chinese
85
24
.707
Total,.
.816
61
22
.392
Total,
475
The smallest number were imprisoned on the 10th March, when there were:
Europeans Indians Chinese
During the past year these extreme numbers have diminished in the same manner as the average. Thus the greatest number confined on any one day in 1867 was on the 14th January, when there were:
Europeans Indians Chinese
77
21
.632
Total,.
780
The smallest number in Gaol during the same year was on the 20th May, when there were:
Europeans Indians Chinese
Total,.
71
16
343
.430
The means described in my last year's Report as having been adopted to check the number of cases of Ulcer have proved so efficient that only 13 admissions to Hospital under this head are recorded in 1867, against 281 in 1866, of these 13 ad- missions in 1867, two terminated fatally; in 1866 there were 16 deaths from Ulcer. It is however necessary to keep the strictest watch upon the prisoners to prevent them from injuring themselves, with the object of escaping from the now really heavy work in the chain gangs, and which they occasionally succeed in accomplishing, even in spite of the greatest care taken of them, and the important improvement in the formation and finish of the irons lately imported from England.
Remittent Fever has proved the source of the greatest Mortality, there were 45 admissions to Hospital, and 4 deaths, among the Chinese from this cause.
The deterrent effect of the public flogging which was at one time of monthly occurrence has been shewn by the fact that it has not been necessary to go through this ceremony for the last six months.
Table XVIII-Shews the rate of sickness and Mortality in Victoria Gaol from the year 1845 to the year 1867, with the exception of the four years from 1854 to 1857, both inclusive, of which no records appear to have been kept. By this table it will be seen that the past year has shewn the smallest Mortality, in reference to the total number of prisoners, in any but the two years 1859 and 1860.
The building is, as usual, a model of cleanliness and good order. Under the management of the present able Superinten- dent many improvements have been made during the last twelve months, and that principally with the convict labor. The Hall and Yards have been relaid with beautifully smooth granite, neatly cemented, which does not retain the dirt and moisture in the same manner as the roughly hewn stone pavement formerly employed. Sheds have either been built, or are in course of erection, round three sides of the open yards, which will prove of great benefit in protecting the prisoners in those yards, either for purposes of exercise or labor, from the effects of sun and rain. Open ironwork gates have been placed at the end of each passage, so as to permit of better classification, and greater safety of the prisoners. A similar arrangement replaces the old wooden doors of the cells, and, hen completed, will nearly double the cubic space of air allotted to each prisoner, beides insuring a better watch over his movements, and, lastly, gas is being introduced throughout the establishment, which, while it adds to the cleanliness and security of the Gaol, materially assists the care and attention to the sick.
IV. THE LOCK HOSPITAL.
It is my intention to devote a much larger portion than usual of my Report to this institution, and the working of the present Ordinance for the check of infectious disease. That Ordinance has been on trial for nearly ten years, and has done singular service, and it is only justice to it's framers to record it's working, before the more perfected legislation of last year becomes the law of the Colony. This is rendered the mere incumbent on me in consequence of the apparent ignorance of those even who should be better acquainted with its details, as was shewn in the evidence given before the committee appointed to enquire into the means of reducing Venereal Disease in the Army and Navy, the part of which was erly published last year. The ignorance therein displayed by Medical Officers who had served in China is most remarkable, ag. one gentleman expresses it as his cpinion that the Prostitutes in China are dirtier than in England, whereas the reverse is notoriously the
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