Sessional_Paper_1900 — Page 532

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The large increase in those suffering from secondary syphilis shows that the disease is much more prevalent in the Colony, 65 of these cases were Chinese.

Many of this nationality have to be treated as out-patients on account of our limited accommoda- tion; unfortunately Chinamen suffering from venereal diseases are not admitted to the Tung Wah Hospital. This is a fact much to be deplored as now this institution is becoming more under the influence of Western medicine many cases might be treated there who now undoubtedly disseminate this disease abroad.

There were 54 cases under treatment suffering from Gonorrhoea as against 48 in 1898.

Injuries.-There were 347 admissions with 15 deaths as against 352 with 18 deaths in 1898. Surgical Operations.-There were 234 during the year with 6 deaths as against 224 with 10 deaths in the previous year.

Amongst the more important operations during the year were the following:

Lithotomy.---A Chinaman was admitted from Táipó in the New Territory and was successfully operated on, the calculus weighing 24 ounces.

Hermia.--Five cases were operated on with but one fatal result; this was the case of a Chinaman in whom the hernia had been strangulated for some days, the intestine was quite gangrenous and although it was removed and an artificial anus formed the patient never rallied. It is unfortunate that the Chinese do not realise the serious nature of this complaint and present themselves for treatment earlier.

Abscess of Liver.—Three cases were operated on successfully, the notes of two are given in the appendix.

Laparotomy.-This operation was performed on an European for perityphlitis with a successful

result.

Gunshot Wounds.-There were several cases admitted during the year and operated on.

We found the Rontgen rays of great assistance in locating the same; in one severe case of injury to the shoulder in which the bead of the humerus was smashed the joint was excised and although the bullet could not be found the man made an excellent recovery.

Anaesthetics.—Chloroform has been administered 164 times during the past year. Unfortunately two deaths occurred from its effects-the first in the hospital. Both cases were Europeans. These cases were fully reported to The Lancet. The deaths occurred under different administrators and under different systems.

4

The majority of cases (156) were anesthetised by Krohne and Seismann's modification of Innker's inhaler and the remainder with Skiemer's inhaler.

Using the former method:--

The average time taken to produce anesthesia was 5'. 37".

The average duration of the operation 11'. 26", and the average quantity used was 2 drs. 13

minims.

No notes were kept of the cases under Skiemer's inhaler, but it undoubtedly uses or rather wastes a much larger amount of the anesthetic and the danger of an overdose is less easily guarded against.

The drawback to Innker's inhaler is the amount of india rubber used in the machine as this rapidly deteriorates in this climate.

FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS.

The following fractures and dislocations have been treated during the year:

Fracture of the skull,

spine,

+

1

humerus,

5

radius and ulna,

A

femur,

8

tibia,.

10

inferior axilla..

1

ribs,

1

11

1

"

clavicle,

1

Dislocation of the hip....

1.

ankle, shoulder,

2

1

,

}

elbow,

2