Sessional_Paper_1894 — Page 364

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LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

In the European Lunatic Asylum there were seven cases remaining over from 1892 and nine new admissions making a total of 16 under treatment during the year, the same as in 1892. This is the largest number we have ever had under treatment in one year and much in excess of former years. One death occurred among them.

One Coloured Lunatic remained over from 1892 and two more were admitted this year, making a total of 3 under treatment. No deaths. Ten Chinese lunatics were left over from 1892 and 11 more admitted, making a total of 21 under treatment during the year. Among these there were 4 deaths.

The majority of the Lunatics of all classes have either been discharged cured or sent to their own country.

SMALL-POX HUT AND HULK HYGEIA.

In these two places 61 cases were admitted, 10 in the wooden hut attached to the Government Civil Hospital and 51 on board the Hulk Hygeia. All the deaths occurred among the patients on the Hygeia. There were 25 Europeans among the admissions; of whom 3 died, 11 coloured of whom one died, and 25 Asiatics of whom 4 died. Dr. Lowson, Superintendent in charge of the Hulk Hygeia, has written a very interesting report of the working on board and makes some recommendations. With regard to the establishment of a steam pinnace I think this will not be required. The Hulk Hygeia has been removed over to the main Island for the accommodation of Plague patients during the present epidemic and I see no reason why she should not remain where she is; she is just as near the quarantine station for vessels as she was in her old location.

I quite agree with Dr. Lowson that the Hygeia is no place for suspected cases, as isolation on board is impossible; a lightly boarded portion from the main ward and with doors opening into it can in no sense be called isolation, and I very much regret that we were compelled to receive such cases on board. I hope it may not occur again, as the small-pox wooden hut attached to the Government Civil Hospital is now very old, it was erected about twelve years ago, and has been last year partially destroyed by fire. A temporary matshed has been built for use pending the erection of a permanent building plans for which have been drawn up and sanctioned. With his recommendations as regards the reception of small-pox Chinese patients in the wards provided by the Tung Wa Hospital I also concur not only for the reason that this Establishment under Chinese supervision and treatment is in the Central District of the City, but also because I believe that the mortality would be considerably less among them. As it was considered advisable that they should not have charge of lunatics and a special asylum had to be built for the Chinese lunatics under European supervision I see no reason why Chinese small-pox cases should not be isolated on board the Hygeia for the reasons given, especially if the Hygeia remains about 100 yards from shore where she now is instead of being two miles away.

The question of segregating a large number of Asiatic passengers is a very difficult one now that Stone Cutters' Island is wholly taken up by the Military. Even when we had that to fall back upon it was a troublesome business besides a very expensive one; the difficulty consisting of preventing escape from isolation. The ground would have to be walled round like a Gaol and a heavy guard required to prevent an outbreak amongst them such as twice occurred on Stone Cutters' Island when they threatened to murder those who were in attendance on them.

PUBLIC MORTUARY.

Table VIII gives the returns of dead bodies sent to the Mortuary for examination. The total number was 139. Of these 4 were European male adults, 99 Chinese male adults, 22 female adults, 5 male children and 8 female children. Other nationalities 1 male adult. Of these 38 were found to have died of disease, 74 Accidental, 21 Suicidal and 6 Homicidal deaths.

VICTORIA GAOL.

The following table gives the number of admissions to the Gaol and the daily average number of prisoners for the past ten years:

Total No. admitted

to Gaol.

4,023.....

Daily average No. of Prisoners. 552.00 .530.00

.....674.00

1884,

1885,

.3,610..

1886,

.4,600..

1887,

.4,302..

.584.00

1888,

•

.3,627.

531.00

1889,

.3,705....

..581.00

1890,

.3,444..

...566.00

1891,

.5,231..

..507.00

1892,

5,046.

.515.00

1893,

.4,010...

458.00