Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 843

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Enclosures.

GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL,

HONGKONG, 1st January, 1902.

SIR,-I have the honour to forward the Annual Report on the Government Lunatic Asylum for the year 1901.

Table IX shows the admissions and deaths that have occurred during the year and Table X the diseases for which the patients were admitted.

The total number admitted was 90 as against 109 in 1900. Europeans. No females were admitted during the year. The American female admitted in April, 1895, is still in the Asylum and quite incurable mentally. The German Sailor admitted in April, 1898, and the Austrian in 1900 have both recovered and been sent home. The former's case being of great interest has been inserted in the Appendix. No deaths occurred amongst the Europeans.

Indians. One died as the result of debility in a chronic imbecile. Chinese.--The admissions this year were 76 as against 97 in 1900.

against 97 in 1900. There were 6 deaths, 22 patients were sent to Canton and 43 handed over to their friends.

I am glad to say no accidents occurred during the year.

Wardmaster G. R. LEE proceeded on leave in March and was succeeded by Mr. GRIFFITHS.

The buildings are in a good state of repair but require colour washing and painting outside, as this has not been done for many years. The fireplaces in lieu of gas stoves, suggested in last year's report, have been built and are a great improvement.

The improvements suggested by you, whereby more room for outdoor exercise for the patients, will be available, are being carried out.

THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL MEDICAL OFFICER.

I have the honour to be,

·

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

J. BELL,

Medical Officer in charge of Lunatic Asylum.

GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL,

HONGKONG, 31st January, 1902.

SI,—I have the honour to foward the Annual Report on the work done at the Public Mortuary during 1901.

On May 12th I took over charge from Dr. THOMSON.

Owing to the want of accommodation, especially noticeable in plague epidemics, an improvement was made by adding a few more tables and a better water supply. In view of the fact that even now there is only accommodation for 16 bodies, I trust the extension, sanctioned last year, will soon be carried out, if possible before the next plague epidemic.

The Chinese Caretaker has continued in charge and done his work very satisfactorily, and, I am glad to say, escaped any infection.

Attached Table gives the causes of death as certified.

General Remarks.--Only 15 Eurpoeans were brought to the Mortuary_out of 2,250. The rest. were Chinese, Indians, Portuguese and Japanese--the Chinese of course predominating. Of the total number 45.5 per cent. were found in the streets or harbour, ¿.., without their addresses being known. During the plague epidemic a few rats were examined occasionally with a view to ascertaining whether they had died of plague. The numbers were unfortunately very small, but in May and June those I examined gave a death-rate of 24% due to plague. In September, at the suggestion of Dr. Kinyoun (United States Marine Hospital Service), a large number were examined with his kind assistance and the result showed a plague death-rate of 5.10%. Subsequently I examined 100 every month and it is interesting to note that the subsidence of plague amongst human beings corresponds to that amongst rats, October giving 2%, November 1% and December nil. This investigation will show whether the plague epidemic amongst rats precedes or not the epidemic amongst mankind.

Special Remarks. Plague. This disease heads the list by a very large number-1,035 out of 2,250. Of this number no less than 36.6% occurred in bodies found in the streets or harbour and consequently without their address being known. This percentage continues high throughout the year and does not seem to be affected in any way by any measures taken or any concessions made.

The percentages month by month were :-

January 42.8, February 33.3, March 38.4, April 44.4, May 35.04, June 34.5, July 34.3,. August 45.4, September 59.09, October (no cases), Nevember 100.

(no cases), Nevember 100. This question has been frequently discussed as militating seriously against checking the disease in the early months of the year, but it is.