NAME.
158
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 1ST APRIL, 1865.
Rate of mortality in the following Hospitals in the year 1862.
St. George's.... Charing Cross Great Northern University College. St. Bartholomew's King's College.. Hôpital Cochin
Hotel Dieu
}(Paris)
8.3 per cent.
8.2 11.2 ""
10.7
12.06 12.01
""
""
""
25
"}
Our average for seven years is only 8.79 per cent, and last year was 9.63 per cent-a rate for which there is great reason to be thankful.
It remains a matter for serious consideration, however, that there were no less than four admissions resulting from star- vation among Europeans, and that two of that number died.
Many improvements have taken place during the past year in the establishment itself. Among these the most important are the introduction of proper latrines and baths; increased pay to the wardmasters, who are consequently more attentive to the patients; monthly Reports from the Superintendent, forwarded to His Excellency the Governor, pointing out repairs and alterations required; and, lastly, regular visitation by the Justices of the Peace. With the present system in force, I look confidently for even better results than we have yet obtained-results which would appear almost incredible when compared with those of 1858, but not more marked than the contrast between the present condition of the Institution, and that which it presented in 1858.
III. THE GAOL.
Table VIII. shews the number of admissions into the Gaol Hospital, and deaths there during the seven years ending 31st December, 1864.
Table IX. shews the rate of admissions into the Gaol Hospital, and the rate of mortality there during the same seven years.
The death rate, although somewhat higher in 1864 than in the previous year, was not equal to the average of seven years, nor much above that of several of our English Prisons. There occurred no disease in an epidemic form, and the deaths generally were such as could in no way be attributed to the system of incarceration. Of the two Europeans who died, one, a soldier, was from disease of the heart, which proved fatal from excitement at the moment when he was about to be sent on board ship, for removal to England; he fell dead in the Court Yard, in presence of his escort-the second died of serous apoplexy, the result of prolonged intoxication prior to admission.
The building is clean and well ventilated, and under its present able management should maintain the satisfactory sanitary condition for which it has been long known.
The numbers confined in Victoria Gaol during the year were:---
SENTENCE.
JANUARY.
FEBRUARY.
Europeans,
Indians,. Chinese,
809 176
..2,493
Total,
.3,478
The daily average was 447, of which number only 16 died.
The following is a curious table, shewing how far Europeans are affected in health by long imprisonment as proved by their weight.
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
JULY.
C. W. J. P.
•
W. M..
Life,. 7 years, Life,.
R. I.
18
years,
W. S. W. D. W. H.
18 years,
C. A.
3 years, Life,. Life,.
127
155 154 156 153 152 150 151 150 119 119 122 114 116 146 147 145 145 129 129 135 131 130 134
148
147 145
113
117 118 116 147 152 146 149 145 140 147 147 144 143 134 138 135 133 132 130
9.5
145
150
*
128
126
154
151 152
150
146
142
146 146 145
147
145
146 145
154
J. D.
14
years,
152
153 154
148
151
150 150
148
G. B. W. II.
4 years,
4 years,
165 167 162 162 147
147 149 141
162 160 162 156 138 140 144 142
127 126 126 126 129 129 130 131 131 131 130 130 150 142 142 143 143 149 155 156 157 157
*
*
**
AUGUST.
SEPTEMBER.
It will be seen that, as a rule, the men lose weight in the summer, which they generally regain in winter. The tab also points out the fact of two prisoners, out of the four named in the table as condemned for life, who have gone on gaining weight, contrary to what might be expected to occur to men who have lost all hope of freedom.
The table is only the commencement of a series of observations I propose to make on this subject.
IV. THE CONVICT HULK.
steably
Table X. shews the rate of sickness and mortality, in the Convict Hulk at Stone Cutters' Island, during the past The result shewn here is very satisfactory. The total number of prisoners was 412 against 384 in 1863--giving a average of about 264 against 250 in 1863, and the rate of both sickness and mortality markedly diminished.
In 1863 the rate of mortality, to the total number of prisoners, was 10.67 per cent and to the average 16.40 per while in 1864 it was only 1.69 per cent to the total, and 2.66 to the average number of prisoners.
* These men were removed to Stone Cutters'. Island.
POBL
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
DECEMBER.
1
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