Sessional_Paper_1894 — Page 408

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9. Zymotic diseases for sometime back have appeared less frequently and are losing much of this virulency. Last year, there were only a few erysipelatous inflammations of a very mild type. Probably this is in part due to the extensive hygienic measures adopted by Captain LETHBRIDGE, the Superintendent of the Gaol, in ordering the white-washing of the whole building and chipping of stones of the walls and grounds.

10. The health of the prisoners was remarkably good during the last winter.

Chinese prisoners do not wear so thick clothes as the European prisoners, nor have better nourish- ment and are barefooted; notwithstanding all these, they stood wonderfully well the cold weather of the month of January, when the water in the buckets which were left in the yards were found frozen in the morning. This proves, I think, that the Chinese are a hardy race and by taking a little care will thrive well both in hot and cold countries.

But the frosty weather must have told severely on many indigent Chinese. Three prisoners on admission to the Gaol, were suffering from gangrene of toes caused by frost-bite. Two of them stated that they belonged to Yaumati, and another to Taipinshan district. One was subsequently committed again to Gaol. His left foot had not yet quite healed.

11. Long sentenced prisoners were still vaccinated with the lymph prepared by the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, which is of an excellent quality.

12. The following is the number of the prisoners vaccinated since it was first started:

Year.

Total number of vaccination and re-vac- cination.

Taken.

Failed at first vaccination and re-vac-

cination.

Total number of those who have been vaccinated or inoculated outside the Gaol.

1888,

1889,

1890,

1891,

1892,

1893,

2,051

1,354

697

2,060

1,445

615

1,736

1,024

712

2,836

1,090

1,346

2,625

1,985

640

1,417

763

651

1,951

2,057

1,722

2,521

2,618

1,325

13. The supply of the lymph ran short for a few weeks, and this is the reason why last year's return shows a total much smaller than usual, of the prisoners vaccinated.

This interruption was not of serious consequence. The vaccination in this Gaol is an extra precautionary measure. The majority of the Chinese have been well vaccinated in the arms and a few inoculated when very young

while in their homes.

14. The weights of opium smokers during the first four weeks of confinement in the Gaol are recorded in Table IX-B-2 and the diseases which some of them had in Table P.

15. Warder FLORES and assistant warder AHMED have continued to work diligently and the matron, Mrs. M. NOLAN, has also rendered valuable aid as a nurse to female prisoners.

16. The Police sent eight Chinese supposed to be affected with leprosy for medical examination. With the exception of one who stole eight pounds of sugar, all the others were arrested for begging. They were found to be lepers. It appears that one returned to this Colony and was again committed for the same offence.

They all came from Chinese Kowloon or from that neighbourhood, attracted by the fame of Euro- pean skill in medicine.

17. I believe that if a dispensary is open at Yaumati, not only will the lepers cease frequenting this city, but it will be largely attended and be the means of curing and alleviating innumerable patients who live in the mainland and who for want of money or for other reasons, are unable to come to Hongkong for treatment.

18. Although the number of female prisoners, comparatively speaking, has never been large, the house which they occupy is so limited, that in case of sickness, there is no separate room for the patients. 19. With regard to female prisoners the same remarks might be applied as to male prisoners. The majority of them are in Gaol for want of a work-house, asylum or decent employment.

Many on account of loss of sight, old age, or impaired health, were exempted on medical ground, from doing the full penalty to which they were condemned.

If some philanthropists would seriously think of establishing proper institutions for those who were born or had been residing for a considerable period of their life in this Colony and to make arrangement for others to return to their former homes, or to go to places where they could get a living, the number of the prisoners will no doubt be greatly reduced.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

Dr. P. B. C. AYRES, C.M.G.,

Colonial Surgeon, &c.,

&&..

&c.

L. P. MARQUES,

Medical Officer.