Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 325

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Notwithstanding the overcrowded state of the Gaol the rate of total sickness was low, viz., 3.86% of the average daily population of the Gaol.

There were 17 deaths from natural causes. No plague or other epidemic disease occurred during the year.

TUNG WAH HOSPITAL.

The admissions were 210 in excess of those of the previous year.

The proportion of those under European treatment was somewhat less than the previous year though consideraly more than in 1902, the figures for the last three years being :-

Year.

1902,

1903,

1904,

European Treatment.

31.9%

53.6

47.0

Chinese Treatment.

68.1%

46.3

52.8

It is satisfactory to note the increase in the number of those attending for European treatment in the Out-patient Department.

Beri-beri.-There was a great increase in the number of admissions from beri-beri, the figures being 742 as against 277 in 1903, this is also by far the most fatal disease, 329 deaths being attributed to it.

On account of an outbreak of beri-beri at the Po Leung Kuk Institution and the increased number of cases in the Tung Wah Hospital I recommended to the Government that an investigation into this disease should be made, this was agreed to and an enquiry is now being conducted by Dr. Koca and the Government Bacteriologist. It is to be hoped that as a result of their researches some light may be thrown upon this disease about whose etiology so little is known.

Moribund cases.--It will be observed that there were many more brought in dead than in the former year, the numbers being 502 as against 388. The reason for this was that, with a view to checking dumping of dead bodies in the street, it was decided in connection with Plague procedure for 1904 that in doubtful cases when the dead body of a Chinese is removed from a house for diagnosis, it shou be removed to the Tung Wah Hospital Mortuary instead of to the Publi Mortuary.

The Tung Wah Hospital was authorised to remove dead bodies and under- took to keep a staff of coolies for this purpose. All that was necessary in case of death was for the relatives to report this to the Tung Wabe who removed the body and provided free burial.

It is significant that the number of dumped bodies has last year as the following figures shew:--

Year.

1902,.

1903,

1904,..

Percentage of bodies found dumped.

34,6

31.7

26.2

I have no doubt that many bodies are dumped in order to save the cost of burial.

BACTERIOLOGICAL SUB-DEPARTMENT.

The new Public Mortuary was completed in the early part of the year and is a great improvement in every way. In addition to two large Mortuaries, contain- ing accominodation for 30 bodies each, there is a research laboratory for the examination of rats and other animals and two small laboratories for research work.

The Bacteriological laboratory is rapidly approaching completion and should be occupied this year.

In June Dr. HUNTER submitted a special report on the result of his researches into Epidemic and Epizootic Plague, this deals exhaustively with the subject and tends to show that plague is a septicemic disease, and that the bacillus enters the