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It would seem, moreover, that the better results obtained this year-the higher percentage of recoveries-are to be attributed to the earlier and more positive diagnosis of plague which has been rendered possible by Dr. BELL's adaptation of Ross' method of examination of the blood. A large number of cases were dia- gnosed positively almost at the earliest manifestation of illness and were at once isolated and subjected to treatment.
Various-Under this heading 21 cases were admitted. One case of choleraic diarrhea which died, was suspected to be cholera. Twenty cases were admitted suspected to have plague-of these, 7 were cases of malarial fever; 3 of dengue fever; 1 of septicemia; 4 of influenza: 1 of febricnla; 1 of tuberculosis of lungs, which died; and I was a plague contact. Two cases of gonorrhea were suspected to bave plague, since repeated examination of the blood drawn from the finger shewed a bipolar organism very similar to the bacillus pestis. No symptoms of plague however developed and these cases were transferred back to the Government Civil Hospital. The gonorrhaal pus shewed typical organism of gonorrhea but not of plague.
The Staff.--Dr. CHUNG CHỈ CHAN was appointed Resident House Physician on the 3rd April and resigned on May 31. Dr. JEW HAWK acted as Résident House Physician from June 1 to August 31.
European Sisters from the Government Civil Hospital were employed from May 16 till July 31. Mr. W. CORDELL was appointed Second Wardmaster on his arrival from England on January 14 and resigned on May 23. Mr. CHUNG SHU CHEUNG, Wardmaster, acted as Second Wardmaster in his place from May 23 to June 7. Private C. WALLACE, R.A.M.C.. lent by the Military Authorities, was appointed Assistant Wardmaster on the 7th June and was recalled on July 7. Mr. RICHMOND, Wardınaster. Government Civil Hospital, was in charge from June 9 to June 16 when Wardmaster MCKAY was ill with plague. Privates A. L. DROKE and W. LAWSON, R.A.M.C., were appointed Assistant Wardmasters on June 10 and were recalled on June 16.
The Chinese attendants were obtained as required.
The Hospital Buildings.-In November and December the Hospital was painted and colourwashed throughout, and the equipment thoroughly overhauled. The place is now in good order.
Towards the end of May, when the epidemic of plague was at its height, two wards in the new Plague Branch of the Tung Wah Hospital were used to relieve the pressure on the Kennedy Town Hospital two weeks prior to its opening by His Excellency Governor BLAKE on June 6th.
On the night of May 9th fire broke out in a wood yard adjoining the Hospital and No. 3 matshed was ignited by sparks. The Wardmasters assisted by European Police Constable HILL. a patient convalescing from cholera, kept the hose playing until the arrival of the Fire Brigade. The patients were safely removed to the main building. Amahs CHEE LUK and LEUNG KUм were awarded three dollars each for meritorious conduct.
Hospital Hulk Hygeia is used for the treatment of cases of small-pox. It is in very good condition at present.
I bave, &c.,
W. V. M. KOCH. Medical Officer in charge.
The Honourable
The PRINCIPAL CIVIL MEDICAL OFFICES.
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