Sessional_Paper_1887-1888 — Page 217

HONGKONG.

THE COLONIAL SURGEON'S REPORT FOR 1887..

Presented to the Legislative Council, by Command of

His Excellency the Governor.

No. 14

GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL,

HONGKONG, 31st May, 1888.

88.

SIR,I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year 1887 together with the Tables showing the work done in the Medical Department under my supervision, and the Reports of the Superintendent of the Government Civil Hospital, and the Government Analyst.

POLICE.

The admissions to Hospital from the Police Force show a slight increase as compared with 1886, a year during which the number of admissions was larger than the previous decade. In 1886 the increase was principally among the Chinese portion of the Force, while in 1887 the Indians were the greatest sufferers as the following table shows:-

Admissions to Hospital, 1881,...

Europeans.

88...

Indians.

Chinese.

Do.,

Do.,

1882,.. 1883,

92.

212.... ...230....

.198

227

.113.

246.

.239

Do.,

1884

87.

.224..

..175

Do.,

1885,...

124.

..208...

..163

Do.,

Do.,

1886, 1887.

...138..

.139.

.....243.

.293..

...221

..187

This table records an increase of sickness among the Europeans, 1; Indians, 50; and a decrease among the Chinese of 34 as compared with 1886.

Table I shows the admissions to Hospital of the different sections of the Force during each month of the year. The summer months as usual exhibit the largest number of admissions, September the largest of all.

Table II gives the average strength of the different sections of the Force, rates of sickness and mortality relative to strength.

Table III shows the admissions to Hospital from the different Stations and Districts during each month of the year.

The Central Station sends in a larger number than in 1886, the increase being greatest amongst the European and Indian portions of the Force. In this Station the increase of sickness has been uniform from year to year. The dormitories are much overcrowded.

Whitfield Station and the Water Police Station have decidedly improved this year sending in only 108 sick compared with 158 in 1886. Shaukiwán shows a slight increase. Pokfulam, Aberdeen and Stanley a slight decrease. No 7 Station is worse than ever, sending in 51 cases compared with 41 in 1886.

Four of the European Police and two of the Chinese were admitted to the Small-pox Hospital; one of the Europeans died.

There were 9 deaths in the Force this year, 4 Europeans, 1 Indian, and 4 Chinese; 5 died in the Government Civil Hospital, and 1 in the Small-pox Hospital. Inspector Lindsay died of aneurism at No. 7 Station, a Chinese Interpreter died at his own house and one European Constable was killed at a fire.