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10. Alcoholism contributed 42 cases of these two were fatal, a mortality of 4.17 per cent. These cases occurred chiefly amongst the destitute sailors.

11. 21 cases of poisoning were under treatment, the poisonous agents being opium, stramonium, and carbolic acid, the 5 deaths were caused by opium.

With reference to the Stramonium cases, the poisonous agent was part of the plant including the flowers of "Datura alba," this was administered in the food some of which the Police fortunately obtained.

The symptoms generally resembled those of poisoning by Henbane and Night shade, in addition however all these cases suffered from hallucinations and after recovery it was found that they had lost all memory of what had happened since they partook of the food a period of about 20 hours. they never were insensible during this time and were able to walk, but with difficulty, to the Hospital.

These hallucinations were decidedly, in the majority of cases, hilarious.

I add to this Report the notes of three cases of medical interest as is the custom in the Army and Navy Annual Medical Reports, in future years I hope to be able to report more such cases.

I also include a short report on the recent Small-pox Epidemic.

During the year 39 Post Mortem Examinations have been made some being of exceptional medical interest.

The various appendices are as follows:

Appendix A.-Memo. re "Beri-beri amongst the Water Police of Hongkong.”

B-Memo. of Dr. YOUNG on "Malarial Fever."

C.-Medical Cases.

D.-Report of Small-pox Epidemic.

The total amount of fees received from patients during the year was $9,805 15 of this the Board of Trade paid $2,271.25 and the Police $1,080:88.

Before concluding I wish to thank the Naval and Military Surgeons and the Civil Doctors for their kindly assistance especially at operations.

GIFTS OF FLOWERS, NEWSPAPERS, &c.

The patients have been much indebted to several ladies of the Colony for frequent gifts of flowers, &c.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant;

J. MITFORD ATKINSON, M.B., (Lond.),

Superintendent of the Government Civil Hospital.

Appendix A.

THE PREVALENCE OF BERI-BERI AMONGST THE WATER POLICE

OF HONGKONG.

The Sanitary Board having asked for information concerning the prevalence, nature, and habitat of this disease as occurring in Hongkong-I send for your perusal the results of an enquiry I have made with reference to the existence of this disease amongst the Water Police.

The reason for my selecting this body of men for the purpose of investigation is that out of eleven cases of this disease admitted into the Government Civil Hospital this year, eight have been from the Water Police, of the other three, two were Europeans and the third was a Chinese Police Constable from the Central Station. I also heard on good authority that there had been a number of cases amongst these men who had refused to place themselves under European treatment.

The Water Police mainly consist of Chinamen and are employed on boat-duty in the Harbour of Victoria and the districts of Aberdeen. Shaukiwan, Whitfield and Yaumati.

These men are on duty for the period of six hours out of the twenty-four, the bulk of them being on duty from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M.

They are under European officers, and their duty consists in patrolling the waters of the Harbour keeping watch amongst the sampans and junks.

Their uniform consists of a Chinese helmet, a jacket and trousers made of drabette cloth, stock- ings and the usual Chinese shoes during the summer months, and in winter similar clothes made of blue serge. In wet weather they are provided with overcoats and capes. When off duty they are quartered in the barracks, they provide themselves with food, and in the event of falling sick they are either sent to the Government Civil Hospital for treatment or they apply to the Inspector for leave; in some cases they will absent themselves without permission.