Sessional_Paper_1885-1886 — Page 290

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The figures in the European Table vary but slightly from the figures in former years, with the exception of cholera of which disease no case has been recorded until this year.

The figures in the Chinese table vary very considerably both as regards the different classes of disease and the totals.

For Enteric fevers the number of deaths recorded in the Chinese table vary from the lowest in 1873, 12, to the highest in 1882, 679; this year 1885 the number was 105.

In the European table this disease had the lowest death rate; in 1883 none, the highest 1882, 10, this

year 1885 the number is 7.

For simple continued fever the number of deaths recorded among the Chinese is lowest in 1882, 71, highest this year 1885, 755; the nearest to this year is 1879 when 733 deaths are recorded from this cause.

For Typhus fever the lowest record among the Chinese is in the five years 1874, 1876, 1880, 1882 and 1885 none. The highest number is in 1881, 38.

For Diarrhoea the lowest record amongst the Chinese is in 1873, 195, the highest record 1878, 701, this year 1885 it is 561 deaths. To these diseases on the Chinese table are added this year cholera 7 deaths and a number of cases registered as vomiting and purging in which death occurred in most cases within 24 hours, 176 deaths.

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For Diarrhoea the lowest record among the Europeans was in 1878, 1883, 1885 the same number 9, the highest record was in 1875, 18 deaths.

This year 1885, for the first time in the past thirteen years, deaths from cholera are recorded, numbering 19.

From all these causes the lowest total among Europeans was in 1883, 19 deaths, the highest total was in 1882, 37 deaths. Amongst the Chinese the lowest total from all causes mentioned in these tables was in 1873, 319, the highest, total this year 1885, 1,534.

The greatest number of deaths recorded among the Chinese as from vomiting and purging occurred in July, when 98 died; in August, 56 died, the few remaining cases occurred in June, September, October and November.

The deaths from cholera among the Military were 2 at the end of June, 9 from the 1st to the 16th of July and one in October; the latter had been in Hospital three days for other reasons and on the fourth morning was seized with cholera and died in six hours. All were Europeans.

The cause of the outbreak cannot be traced by the Military Authorities. There are some theories about it, but nothing definite is known.

Of the cases that were received into the Civil Hospital, the Europeans were destitute seamen as also was the colored man. The Chinese also were destitutes with the exception of the Lokang. In nearly all these cases the attack began with a preliminary diarrhoea some days before the choleraic symptoms begun.

A curious thing among the Military cases was that the greatest number of deaths from this cause occurred among the temperance men. No deaths from this cause occurred among the Indian portion of the Military Force.

No deaths occurred among the European or Indian portions of the Police Force and only one amongst the Chinese portion of the Force and this man, as I have already stated, was sent into Hospital immediately on his return from the mainland.

No cases occurred in the Gaol, though Chinese were brought in from all parts of the Colony and many destitute European beachcombers also daily.

The cases that did occur registered as cholera or vomiting and purging were widely separated all over the Colony and among the boat population. No particular district was specially attacked. Of course all precautions were taken to disinfect all the places where such cases were recorded as having died.

The only deaths that occurred, except in the case of the Military, were amongst the poorest of the European and Chinese community. No cases occurred among the well to do classes of either portion of the communities.