Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 553

HONGKONG.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT BACTERIOLOGIST, FOR THE YEAR 1904.

No. 24

1905

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

BACTERIOLOGICAL SUB-DEPARTMENT, 10th February, 1903.

SIR, I have the honour to submit, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, the following Report on the work done in the Bacteriological Sub- Department during the year 1904.

The new Public Mortuary was completed during the early part of the year. It is equipped so that the most varied pathological research can be undertaken. The compound includes two large mortuaries, one research laboratory for the ex- amination of rats and other animals, and two small laboratories for research work.

The two mortuaries and research room for animals are constructed on the most modern principles. The floors are of concrete, so sloped and grooved, that all excrementitious fluid matter passes at once into deep side channels.

The walls are white tiled for six feet from the floor and all corners are roun- ded. The windows, doors, and ventilating flues are fitted with wire mosquito- proof gauze. Water and gas are supplied to each room. The post-mortem tables are of slate, and so constructed that they can be readily cleansed. Each mortuary will accommodate about 16 bodies.

The two small laboratories are arranged so that naked eye and microscopic pathology may be undertaken.

The whole compound is concreted and rendered with cement. It is thoroughly cleansed daily.

The Bacteriological Institute is nearing completion. It will be ready for the commencement of research work about the beginning of August or September.

During the past year, the routine examination of rats has been carried out by my Laboratory Assistant, Dr. LEE YIN SZE. This Officer has performed his routine duties to my satisfaction. Throughout the year the Sanitary Department has rendered valuable assistance in regard to the cleansing of the Public Mortuary. The Foreman, seconded from this department, to superintend the removal of all bodies of persons who have died from an infectious disease, has been attentive to his duties and kept the Mortuary compound thoroughly clean.

I am glad to say that no case of sickness has occurred amongst the members of my staff during the year. All those engaged with me at the Public Mortuary are annually inoculated with plague vaccine. I also insist on their being vacci nated, as they frequently come into close contact with cases of small-pox during the prevalence of this disease in the early part of each year.

During the year, 1,551 human bodies were examined at the Public Mortuary. Of these, no fewer than 1,026 were upon male subjects. This great difference between the number of males and females examined, does not obtain in the case of infants under one year of life. Out of 498 infants examined, 236 were males.

The number of decomposed bodies, sent to the Mortuary, has greatly diminished.