Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 517

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The proportion of those under European treatment was much larger than in 1902, the figures for the last three years being :-

I ear.

1901,

1902.

1903,

European Treatment.

..30.4

.31.9 · .....53.6

Chinese Treatment.

69.6 per cent.

68.1 }}

46.3

27

An out-patient department has been established where Chinese can be treated by European methods.

Arrangements were made this year for the treatment in the hospital of patients. suffering from venereal disease, a much needed requirement as the hospital accommodation for such is very limited.

On March 26th His Excellency the Governor Sir HENRY BLAKE opened the New Wing, which supplies 76 more beds.

PUBLIC MORTUARY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE.

The mortuary is being entirely rebuilt. Much has been done during the year, in addition to the new mortuary buildings, pathological laboratories have been erected for the examination of rats, &c., and there are suitable offices and servants' quarters attached.

Dr. HUNTER's Annual Report on the work done in the Bacteriological Sub- department has appeared separately in the Government Gazette.

It is a valuable scientific report showing evidence of much useful work having been accomplished.

The subject of Tuberculosis is particularly interesting and has been most thoroughly investigated and the results found especially with reference to the moot question of intestinal infection are of great importance. The reason why tuber- culosis is so rare amongst children may be because Chinese children do not as a rule drink milk.

The etiology of liver abscess requires much further clucidation as Dr. HUNTER'S conclusions show.

With regard to Plague further light has been thrown on the possible sources- of infection, the fact that food such as rice has been found infected with plague bacilli and that fowls, ducks &c. have been found to have died from this disease proves that infection by food may be much more common is this diseare than is generally supposed.

Then again the results of the post-mortem examinations of children under five years of age throws light on the high infantile Chinese mortality which prevails here.

An investigation has also been commenced into an epidemic disease which has affected cattle: this appears to be a form of Hæmorrhagic Septicœmia.

Owing to the want of a properly equipped Laboratory the greater part of the work has been carried out at the Public Mortuary.

The plans for a Bacteriological Laboratory have been finally approved; and it is to be hoped that before the next annual report appears it will have been erected.

The combination of bacteriological research with the pathological material afforded at the Public Mortuary presents opportunities second to none for the investigation of many tropical diseases, such as beri-beri, dysentery, &c., the etiology of which is as yet obscure.

KENNEDY TOWN INFECTIOUS HOSPITALS.

During the year, 348 patients were admitted, 15 being cases of small-pox, 301 of plague, 2 cholera, and 20 under observation.

Of the 301 plague cases, 176 died, showing a mortality of 58.5 per cent.

This is the lowest in the history of the hospital.

From Dr. THOMSON's report it will be seen that the most successful treatment was that of the internal administration of carbolic acid in 12-grain doses given every two hours.