Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 326

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body chiefly through the alimentary canal. The intimate connection between the disease in rats and man leads him to the conclusion that plague in Hongkong is primarily epizootic and within a week or fortnight becomes epidemic in man.

The annual report on the work done in this Sub-Department appears separ- ately in the Government Gazette.

Dr. HUSTER has continued his researches into tuberculosis, this is a disease to which the Chinese seem to be very susceptible.

He also discusses the incidence of typhoid fever amongst them.

The connection between epizootic plague and epidemic plague in man is demonstrated for 1904.

There is also much of pathological interest, especially the chapter dealing with the incidence of pneumonia amongst children.

The preparation and distribution of calf lymph was carried on as usual under his superintendence, and the lymph has given satisfaction.

KENNEDY TOWN INFECTIOUS HOSPITALS.

During the year, 87 patients were admitted, 77 being cases of plague, 5 of cholera and 5 under observation. Of the plague cases 63 died, giving a mortality of 81.8 per cent.-it must be noted, however, that 41 of these died within 24 hours, so that they were practically in a hopeless condition on admission.

Attached is a full and interesting report by Dr. Kocn, the Medical Officer in charge.

Tung Wah Branch Hospital.-Owing to the mild epidemic it was not neces- sary to occupy this building.

Hospital Ship "Hygeia."-This is reserved for the treatment of small-pox cases, during the year 40 were admitted with 5 deaths.

Five of these cases were imported by ships.

VACCINATIONS.

The following were performed during the year:

Li....

Government Civil Hospital,

Victoria Gaol,

Alice Memorial Hospital,

Tung Wah Hospital

*--

Victoria,

Aberdeen,

Stanley,

Shaukiwan,

Kowloon,

Hunghom, Yaumati,

639

.2,578

277

.1,811

15

17

46

86

27

59

5,555

On account of the prevalence of small-pox in April last, handbills were pub lished freely drawing attention to the fact that free vaccination was being done at the Government Civil Hospital, the Tung Wah and the Alice Memorial Hospitals.