Sessional_Paper_1885-1886 — Page 286

The increase is pretty evenly distributed over all classes but chiefly noticeable on Private Paying Patients, Government Servants, and Destitutes. The increase in the number of Government Servants is chiefly caused by those employed on the Táit'ámtuk excavations and tunnel which has proved very unhealthy work, and the patients suffer severely from malarial fever and its sequelæ.

years.

Table V shews the character of the diseases admitted to Hospital.

Table VI shews the rate of mortality of the different classes admitted to Hospital for the past ten

Table VII shews the admissions and deaths of the different classes in each month of the year. The number of admissions was as usual largest in the summer months.

The numbers of admissions and deaths in Hospital for the past ten years are as follows:-

283

1876,.

1877

1678,.

1879,..

1880,

1881.

1882,

1883.

Admissions. .1,000

Deaths.

36

950

49

..1,289

50

..1,071

55

...1,055

44

..1,236

49

..1,458

68

..1,502

70

..1.354

50

.1,510

76

1884..

1885,.

The percentage of deaths to admissions was 5.03, the highest percentage but two in the last ten years.

Sixteen of these deaths were from injuries. There were fourteen cases of gunshot wounds; of these two died. There was a larger number of severe injuries than usual, as will be seen by reference to Table No. V, those of contused wounds, many of them of great severity, being more than double; the number being 40 in 1884 as compared with 83 in 1885.

In the last few years the number of surgical cases have been greatly on the increase, and this is to be expected with the greater increase of manufactories having complicated machinery.

This year the Superintendent was absent on sick leave for five months. During his absence Drs. DODD, PIKE, and THOMPSON of the Army Medical Department acted alternately in his place; but as their services could only be spared from their Military duties during the day, Dr. MARQUES performed the duties at night, or in his absence I was called upon.

The services of another European wardmaster were required, and a temporary one has been appointed with a strong recommendation from myself that the appointment shall be made permanent for next year.

Mr. CROW, the Apothecary and Analyst, was on the sick list for some time, and considerable diffi- culty was experienced during his temporary absence, but this was less than it might have been, had there not been a Chinese Student Apothecary of considerable experience. His services we have unfor- tunately lost, and this year there is a new Student Apothecary whom it will take a considerable time to instruct, before he can be of much service,

SMALL POX HOSPITAL.

Fourteen cases of Small Pox were admitted to this Hospital, of whom only one died. Most of them were of a mild type.

Table VIIa shews the number and nationality of the patients admitted and the number of deaths. In the summer months, when no small pox cases are received, this building was used as a Cholera Hospital; nine cases were received, of whom six died. There were three Europeans, one colored man and five Chinese; of these, three Europeans and three Chinese died.

PUBLIC MORTUARY.

Table VIII gives the list of dead bodies brought in during the year, and these are yearly on the increase, (this list does not include bodies brought from the Government Civil Hospital for examina- tion, after death by the Coroner's order), Coroner's Inquests being very frequent. Dr. MARQUES has per- formed the duties of the Medical Department of this new Establishment, and been assisted by a Chinese Wardmaster from the Hospital. This I think is very objectionable, for not only does it take up a great deal of this man's time when he can ill be spared at the Hospital, but in view of the many and serious injuries in which he has to see to the dressing of wounds, his employment as Post Mortem attendant is most objectionable, and might add to the danger of the patients. I have therefore strongly recommended that instead of a watchman at this place, a resident well paid Post Mortem attendant should be appointed, which I hope will be sanctioned.