251
Surgical operations. As usual a large number of cases came under the surgical side. Four of the most important are given in the Appendix. The case of splenectomy is the first successful one, I believe, ever done in the Colony for ruptured spleen. I am very much obliged for the skilful help rendered to me on the occasion by Dr. THOMSON, Captain WALL, I.M.S. and Lieutenant RAIT, I.M.S.
Lithotomy.—Only two cases were operated on for stone during the year, both successful. Strangulated Hernia.-Two cases were admitted for this trouble both were operated upon with one fatal result.
Amputation through the shoulder joint with excision of the scapula and outer half of the clavicle. This most serious operation was performed by Dr. Lowsox for extensive necrosis. The result was most successful and the patient is now alive and well.
Anaesthetics.-Chloroform was administered 156 times during the year without any bad result. The majority of the cases were anesthetised, as usual, by Krohne and Seismann's modification of Junker's inhaler and the remainder with Skinner's mask.
Fractures and Dislocations.-The following were treated during the year :--
Fracture of the Skull,
Arm.
11
3)
Fore-arm,
11
Collar Bone,...
Ribs.
"
++
Thigh,
"1
??
Leg,...
11
,,
Patella,
Pelvis,
}}
Dislocation of the Hip,...
+1
35
Shoulder,
*
*1
Elbow,
Wrist,
19
Vaccinations.--Vaccinations were performed during the year :--
Primary Cases,........... Re-Vaccinations,
12
5
3
3
2
11
10
2
1
1
1
2
1
Successful. Unsuccessful.
123
Total.
S
126
145
63
208
334
Fees.-The total fees received during the year were $34,559.25 being an increase of $7,655.77 over last year.
Government Civil Hospital, Private Nursing,...
.$ 32,673.02 1,886.23
$ 34,559.25
Buildings.-The main building has, as usual, given little trouble-evidently the work and material in the earlier days were of a more lasting nature than in modern days. The lower has, however, required a good deal of repair owing to white ants and dry rot. The whole roof had to be renewed just at our busiest time and we were obliged to resort to all sorts of unsatisfactory expedients to accommo- date patients as well as to keep out private ones, I am much obliged to the Public Works Depart- ment for carrying out this big work with speed and with the minimum amount of discomfort to all concerned. I trust, however, in future, that all rotten beans will invariably be replaced by iron, the only safe, sensible and economical material to use in the tropics.
Gifts and visits to patients.—I take this opportunity on behalf of the patients to thank all those who have so kindly kept us supplied with papers, books, flowers, &c. as well as to those who have so kindly visited the patients.
This being the last report of the 19th century I do not think it is out of place to look back and glance at the improvements effected in this importaut institution during the last few years. In 1887 when I arrived in the Colony there was only one Medical Officer, two European Wardmasters and nothing else but Chinese servants, operations were done in the verandah or elsewhere and lying-in cases treated in a general ward.
Slowly but surely there has been added an extra Medical Officer to the Hospital, skilled English nurses, a proper operating theatre, a lying-in Hospital and Lunatic Asylum as well as a really good hospital for Infectious Diseases at Kennedy Town. Though many improvements still lie before us I think the Goverument may feel a certain amount of satisfaction at possessing an institution which
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