chief medical officer. · 1864. victoria. chief medical officer. re'rurn of di~·eases·...
TRANSCRIPT
1864.
VICTORIA.
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER.
"
RE'rURN OF DI~·EASES·
IN' THE
VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS UNDER' THE OHARGE OF THE OHIEF
MEDICAL OFFIOER FOR THE YEAR 1863.
PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
til! ~lItboritl1; JOHN FERRESJ GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE.
No.aG.
APPROXIMATE COST OF RETURN.
DJlTAILJ!:Ij P AltTICULABS.
Cost of pl'e]llImtion.-It is imJlOOllihle to give the cost of preparation in tbis case. l'linting .. .. •• •. •• .. •• .. .. "
TOTAL
£1" 18 6
18 ! 6
d.
o o
RETURN OF DISEASESo
IMMIGRATION HOSPITAL, MELBOURNE.
RETURN of DIS1U.SEB for the Year 1863.
Total Total Deathll
DISEASES. NUlnberof ~t~:f NUlnber of perCent.
o-s Dea~ of(Jasesof
treated. SiokneJ!S.
1. ZYMOTIC DISEASES:-Days.
1. Miasmatic Diseases:-Scarlatina ... ... ... ... ... 4 33 . .. .. . Qninsy ... ... ... ... 19 6 2 10·m:3 1'yphus Fever ... ... ... ... 5 36 3 60'0 D:ysentery ... ... ... ... ... 1 4 .. . ... DuU'rhcea ... ... . .. . .. .. . :}6 7 2 5'5 Bilious Fever ... ... ... .. . 12 22 . .. .. . Rheumatism ... ... . .. .,. ... (j 17 ... '"
4. Parasitic Diseases:-Thrush ... ... ... . .. .. . 1 7 ... .. . Worms ... ... ... ... H. 1 23 .. . . .. Impetigo ... ... ... ... , ... 1 4 . .. . ..
Total, Class 1 ... ... ... 85 12 7 8'23 --
2. CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES:-
2. Tubercular Diseases:-Phthisis '" ... ... ... . .. 2 47 ... .. .
Total, Class 2 ... ... ... 2 47 .. . ...
3. LOCAL DISEASES:-
1. Diseases qf Nervous System:-2 15 Insanity... . .. ... . .. ... ... .. .
~ileps'y .. , ... ... n • ... 3 3 1 33'3 ysterla ... ... ... .. , .. . 2 6 ... ...
Ophthalmia ... ... , .. ... ... 3 9 .. . . .. 3. Diseases of Respiratory System :-
Bronchitis ... ... ... .. , ... 4 18 ... ... 4. Diseases qf Digestive Organs:-
1 3 Hernia ... ... ... ... ... , .. . .. lIens ... ... ... ... . .. 5 6 ... .. . ~spepsia ... ... ... . .. ... 12 7 . .. .. .
epatltis ... ... ... .. . ... 1 13 .. . ... Phlegmon ... ... ... ... ... 15 15 .. . . .. . Eczema ... ... ... ... ... 1 1 .. . . .. Herpes ... ... ... ... ... 1 2 .. . .. .
Total, Class 3 ... ... .. . 50 10 1 2'0
4. DEVELOPMENTAL DISEASES :=
2. Of Adults :-Amenorrhcea ... .. , ... .. ' ... 1 11 ... ... Menorrhagia ... ... ... ... .. . 1 S ... ... Childbirth ... ... ... ... . .. 20 9 ... . ..
4. Of Nutrition :-Marasmus ... ... . .. .. . {) 16 1 20'0 Debility from 'Birth ... ... .., , .. S 6 2 66'6
Total, Class 4 ... ... .. . 30 10 3 10'0
4
RETURN of Diseases, &0., IMMIGRA.TION HOSPITA.L, MELBOUll.NE-CQntinue£l .
DISEASES, .. To;';'1 I ,AVerage' ToW Deaths
N"8'..=or ! :Qtfration of Number of J}"~:~f treated. : each Case. Deaths. Sickness.
5. VIOLENCE:-1 . .A()(Jiden~ or lfeg.lig,e . .n,c6!,-::; 1,
Fractures '" ,., Concussion of Spine Sprain '"
Total, Cl~~~ I) _~, ' .~
:." TO~8, <:! ~~l Classes
Days, :/, ' 1 .~ 7 ~ ~\ ~ J.' :c -.. f"; .
.. :- ',' "'1" " 39' 1 1 1 9
3 13 ,.
170 1_ 12
;: ... ; ,'"," . 'A;er~g;;'i:fuiry' nu~lJ~~ 'inl hospital, including officers N umber of cases of sickn:ess per cent, of ditto ... N umber of deaths per cept~ of ditto '" .. '
REMARKS. '
11
9 1888'8 122'2
'"
The sickness and mortality in the Immigration Hospital during the year 1863 WfiS very considerable. This is principally to, be. attributed to the low state of vitality in which the immigrants
, from some of the vessels landed m the colony durmg the last half of the year. The Lancashire operatives who landed 'from the' ships: Southern Ooean and Queen of tlte South in ":August, were the principal sufferers; and for sevel;al months after. they came to the depot, the{'not 'only filled the immigration hospital, but constantly required medical aid in the depot to a very large extent.
The more important diseases which prevailed were" Miasmatic," and it was amongst these that the principal mortality occurred. 1'h8 cases of (, scarlatina" were not severe, though occupying a considerable period in their cure, and 'Yere not attended wiLl! any mortality. The cases of H quinsy" were numerous, but,.with the exceptiO:n of the two fatal ones, generally not severe. The fatal cases were those of two childrcn, aged one and a half and two and a half years respectively, and were both cases of m,alignant sloughing of the to~sils and fauces; they were hopeless from' the time they came under treatment. The cases oC" typhus fever" were very ,severe. '1'he' first one occurred in March, the girl having been taken ill the day she left the ship. The attack, in this instance, was a very severe one, the brain being materially affected, and terminated fatnlly in sixteen days. The second case was one of the Lancnshire 'Il'omen, the wife, of an operath-e, WlIO'wils' landed' in It very low condition: 'She ,ha,d It very severe attack, which, after 'a ,long illness of fi~ty.nine days, al~o termin,atcd f~ta)ly, The thll'd case WIlS also that of a Lancashn'c woman, the WIfe of an operatri'e, and In a SImilarly low condition of vitality; after an illness of sixty. eight days she recovered. The fourth case was also the wife of a Lancashire operative. She Had been. previously ill 'Il'ith an attaek of "bilious fever," from which she recovered. anel afterwards she, was attaelred with "typhhs fever," of which, after a long illness of forty.four days, she also recofered. The other case 'Il'ilS that of a youllg girl. aged twentyone, who was takeI.\ ill on board the : ship after her arrival in Hobson's Bay. 1'bis latter case 'Il'as complicated with symptoms of brain disease, and terminated fatally in fifty.six days. "The cases'of.· H diarrhrea" and "dysentery" were not generally severe. The first fatal case of diarrhrea occurred in a child of scrofulous habit ,and defe~etiye nutrativc powers, a'!lcr'fermiliated< after seventeen' days' illness. '1'he second wa~ a siJ'nilar'one,:and ended after an illness of twenty days. Of" bilious fever" the cases were tolerably nunleroli;s, occllrrin~ principally among the Lancashire operati'vesl Some of them, in consequence of the low slate o'f vitality oft.he patients, occupied a considerable period in their recovery, and requited stimulhnts'to a large extent, but there was no mortality. " , ,
'J'he "Tubereular Dis,cases" were confined to two cases of "phthisis." One was, that of a Scotch girl, twenty.,two year~ old, who, though she had ahvays"beimphthisical at home;' completely recovered in fifty.six days after her arr~val in the 'colony, notwithstanding that the disease had already
'made considerable progress when she \\'as admitted to the, hospital. The other case of phthisis was that of a male Irish il;nmigrant, twenty-two years old. Irr 'this -instance, 'after ,thirty.seten" days' treatment, in hospi~al, the patient wah discharged tolerably well, but soon afterwards the disease became aglLin active', ana I understand ihe died of it in the Melbour)le Hospital. . "
, .. Local Diseases.:' AfuonO' the!discases of ' the H Nervous System." the principal were the cases of "'epilepsy," the fatal":one ibein'''g. th~t of the dispenser to the hospital, who died after twenty-rour !hours'illness •. He had previously suffered for a'long period from scrofula and syphilis, and a, post mortem, examination sho'll'cd htehsive brain disease. '1'he four cases of "bronchitis ~'. wel'e the only ones ot'the " Ite5pirat,1ry Sy.stem ;, tre~ted in the hospital duri~g the; year, and they "'~re severe;. but ibesides these; mallY :otliers w~re 'ti'eated in the depot, there bemg no room for them m the hospital; .tlll yielded readily to the re'medl'c's used. '1'he diseases of, tlie "'Digesfiv'e Organs" were numerous. ';but~-geiieially speaking, not seve-j'e' .. ' '],he case of "hepatitis," occurred in an un~arried female, a!5ed
, twenty.nine" and was not sevp'e, yielding readily to tr~atll!ent ..• ,9[" .i}~UB " {~oliP)..a,n,d.'{.~ysJ~P.,~~~:·" tb.o !lases willch QC~1JIT(,'(l W!:'f!'} thtl re,sul;t of carelessness m dwt,-and ywldeareadlly- to actIve treaBmenL' In the depOt the llUiii BtW {jf C!~ge8 of thi~ class we:e :"ery numerous. . , , . .
Of the "Devclopmen~11Ji!Jc!l8e8," the prl~elpal ca~es ~ceurred m chIldren', n~he fll:t~1 case of "maraSm\lS" was that,of a ,child of ~ Lauea~lllre operatIve, m a very low and'fee~l.e eon~:htlOn when admItted to the hospital; and lillg~red twcnLy~elght'days. Another ~a~e of the ,same ~Ise,ase tly as b~(l. rqcovered. 'fWD ,ehildren\'\'~rb bor~ in such a feeble condlbon that.they-ouly a few days, their pO'vrers of nntrltlOI1 bClllg lllsuilielent to support He. ,... , ,', , .
" "Violence." '1'ho case of '.'. fracture" occurred on board on~ of th~ Immlgra~,~ ~hIPS" ,tIie subject . b' .·~'boy seven abel a:lialf ;"ea& old. The thigh bone of. the right lupb,was fr,actlpJed,·but he was. emgr", ,J • , \,', ..,.
quite,~ilred ilt'tltirty.nin'eda:l\s ... ,:. '_, " . • ' . . ',1' The other cascs do not'requ!re any partlCular ,mentIOn. ,. .. '.,,'
'The were 652 cases ("'out patients''') treated' 111 the depot tlurmg,the year. - -"., <P" ",,_' .; ~ ,·"W. McCREA; .. Chief.Medical~O:l!icer",",,,
MELBOURNE GAOLS.'
RETURN of DISEASES for the Year 1863.
I T~ Average Total I Deat.bs DISEASES. Number of Durntionof Number of per Cent.
eases each 0_. Deaths. '°f,l~! treated. I
o
ZYMOTIC DISEASES:-Days.
1. Miasmatic lJiseases 1-
Quinsy ... ... ... . .. .. , 23 8 ... ... Whooping-cough ... ... ... ... 1 15 ... '" Erysipelas ... ... ... ... ... 2 9 '" .. . Influenza ... . .. . .. ... ... 20 5 '" ... Dysentery ... ... ... . .. ... 10 7 ... .. . DiarrhO'la . ,. ... ... . .. .. . 58 7 1 1'72 Bilious Fever ... ... ... ... 4 11 ... '" Rheumati'sm ... ... ... ... . " 60 9 '" ...
2. Entltetic Diseases :-~philis ... .. , ... ... ... 12 18 '" ...
onorrhO'la. ... ... ... ... 36 9 .. . . .. Stricture of U;~thra ... . .. ... ... 11 22 '" .. . Pariphimosis ... ... . .. ... 1 15 ... .. .
3. Dietic lJiseases :-Delirium Tremens ... ... ... .. . 43 7 2 4'65
4. Parasitic lJiseases :-Worms ... ... ... ... .. , 5 6 ... ... Scabies ... ... ... ... ... 16 4 .. . . .. Impetigo ... . " ... ... '" 5 14 ... ." ------
Total, Class 1 ... ... .. . 307 8 3 0'97
2. CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES:-
1. Diatltetic Diseases:-Gout ... ... ... ... ... 1 I) . .. . .. Dropsy ... ... ... .. . ... 2 8 1 50'0
2. Tubercular Diseases :-Scrofula. ... ... ... ... . .. 3 11 . .. . .. Phthisis ... ... ... ... . .. 2 3 . .. ... Bubo ... ... ... ... ... 3 16 . .. .. .
Total, Class 2 ... ... ... 11 10 1 9'09 ------
.3. LOCAL DISEASES:-
1. Diseases of the Nervous System:-Otitis ... ... ... ... ... 1 4
'" ... Paralysis ... ... ... . .. . .. 4 109 1 25'0 Mania ... ... ... ... . .. 134 12 " . '" Melancholia . 29 14 . " ... ... ... ... ... .. . Dementia ... ... ... .. . . .. 8 13 1 12'5 Chorea ... ... ... .. . .. , 1 59 .-. . .. I;ilepsy ... ... .. . ... ... 10 14 . .. .. .
ysteria ... ... . .. ... ... 1 3 '" . ..
Ophthalmia ... ... ... ... ... 50 11 '" ...
Oongestion of Brain ... ... . .. . .. 1 2 ... '" Odontalgia ... '" ... ... ... 8 4 '" '"
2. Diseases qf Organs 0/' Oirculation:-Bremorrhage ... . .. ... ... 3 3 1 33'3
3. Diseases of the RespVratQr!/ System;-Bronchitis ... ... • .. ... ... 78 8 ... '" Pneumonia ... ... . .. ... ... 1 7 1 100'0 Asthma ... ... ... ... ... /) 7 '" .. .
4. Diseases of the Digestive Organs t-Piles ... ... . .. 6 13 I ... ... '" . .. Hernia ... ... ... ... ... 3 7 . .. ... Ileus ... ... ... ... ... 18 5 .. . .. . flspep~ia ... ... ... . .. ... 303 7 1 0'33
epatltJS ... ... .. . .. , .. . 4 11 1 25'0 No. 30, a.
\' 0
6
RETURN of Diseases, &c., MELBOURNE GAOLs-continued.
. .
. " 5. JJiseases.of tke Urinary Organs:-
. Enures18 ... '.. . . : ..
6. Diseases of qrgans of Generation :-Orchitis, ' "', ... ... Vaginal Rectocele .. . . ..
7. Diseases of the Joints:-Necrosis . :. , .....
8. Diseasef of E~tegument;ry Sy~tcm:-Phlegmon ... ' ... .. . Ulcer ' ...•. . ..... .. .. . Urticaria ..., ... , .. . Eczema ... .., .. . Herpes ... ... . .. Erythema ... .. ... . .. Acne ... ... .. ... Psoriasis ... ... .. ..• Lichen ... ... .. .
Total, Clas~ S .. .
N.J.~ of Average Tola.! p~r~~ . • .. \' '\" •. {( Oases i D"'J:tcion of NDUlllbt~_ of of Cas •• of
, treated.' eac ase. e& .",. SicknellB •
1
1 1
2
Days.
4
4 30
5
60 9 68 17
3 9 12 32 2 D 1 14 2 5
10 11 4 6
-----1----1-----1----835 10 6 0'72
---,-·---1----1----4. DEVELOPMENTAL DISEASES;-
2. Of Adults ;-':Menorrhagia Amenorrhooa Leucorr hooa ... Childbirth .. ,
4 Of Nutrition:-Debility ... ' .. ~
Total, Class 4 • ,", •
1 1 4 1
2
9
2 11 16 14
1
10
1 50'0
1 U'1 1----1-- ----1--·--
5. VIOLENCE ;-.
1. Accident o.r Negligertce ,:-Fractures .. . '". Contusions ... .. . Wounds ". .. .
2 14 25 I' 13 35 11
Sprains and Dislocations Mosquito Bites ' ...
! '
. 12 I 11 • .. 1 1 139 ..... : .....
· .. 1~-1-1-2'--1--.. -. -,-.. -.-Total, Class'5 ".
TOTALS, OF ALL CLASSES ... ... I 1,237 1--10-, -"-1-1--1 09'0
AYverage daily numerc~l strength of establisJunent ... Number of cases of sickness per cent. of ditto .,. Number of deaths per cent. of ditto
. ,
REMARKS.
306 404'24 35'98
During the year 1863, the prison~rs, l!lal~ :~nd female, ,who .had been located in the Western Gaol were removed to the Main Gaol, and the pl~sent return comprises the sickness and mortality of both. In 1862, the,number qf cases of sickness in both ga9Is:w.all·,1319, but in 1863 it was only 1237, showing a decrease of eighty-two or about 6 per cent. 011 the previous year. The deaths in 1852 amounted to seventeen or about 5'3 per cent. of 'the prisoners, whilst in 1863 the deaths were only eleven or 3'6 per cent. . , .
The" Zymotic Diseases" were tolerably numerous during the year, but of no great severity, eight days 'being the average duration of the' cases.' The cases of "quinsy" (sore throat) and "influenza" were also numerous, but they did hot occur epidemically, and were mostly of. a slight description, yielding readily to the treatment adopted. Cases of "dysentery" and "diarrhooa" were frequent, but generally slight. The fatal case of .. diarrhooa" occurred, in,·an.old, man, sixty.five y.ears of age, who came into the gaol in a very low condition, his constitution having broken down. He rallied at first ~der treatme!1t, but other complications supel"Vened, paralysis and disease of the chest came on and he sank after eIght days. " ;'
,~;:'(! The .cas~s of" ~e.ver" were of t~~ bilious type. accompanied with eonsiderable prostration, they, however; YIelded readily to the remedies ;used for theU' cure. . '
7
The cases of "rheumatism" ;w'ere:numerc"u8\ aifew'ortlieln1were of acute nature, but the greater number were sub-acute or chronic, the result of exposure. to vieissitudes of weather and the influence of drink. . -, . .,.,. J . •
. _'-~. _ ,1'h~.cases of, '~. venereal, disease:,! weI1e,less· nume.£ous·,than . in the preceding year, only twelve cases' of " syphilis" occurring against thirty in 1862, and thirty.six of "gonorrhrea" against forty-three in 1862. Neither.disease was of a sev:ere form, and both yielded readily to treatment, the regular hours and .{,liet .df· the gaol contributing'much to this result. ' .
. · .•.. .::..Xhe cases of "delirium·tremens" were considerably less numerous than during the previous year. In 1862, the number of cases of "delirium tremens" in both gaols was fifty-two and the deaths four; whilst in 1863, the number of cases was forty-thre'e and the deaths two. The cases were all severe, occurring mostly to old drunkards after rcpeated previous attacks.
Th~re was a considerable increa~e in the number of cases of H scabies" (itch) and the result of my observation tends to show that the disease is greatly on the increase allover the colony.
The cases in the class of" Constitutional Diseases" were few and, with one exception, unimportant. This was'a case of "anasarca" (general dropsy), occurring in an old man seventy-four years of age, whose constitution had been broken down by drink and exposure to the evils resulting from it. The case was fatal.
. The cases of "paralysis," though not numerous, were of importance. In one case the person affected was the gate warder of the Main Gaol, a.man o~ good constitution and sober, steady habits; had served as a soldier in India for some years. The paralysis principally affected the hands and arms, sensation being impaired to a greater extent than motion; no treatment seemed t-o have any permanent effect though partial relief was obtained by the use of alteratives and tonics. The fatal case of "paralysis" occurred in an: old man of seventy-five years, who had been an inmate of the Benevolent Asylum for a long period previously; it appears he one day obtained leave to go out for a time, !Sot drunk, and was refused admission again to the Asylum; in this state he was picked up by the police, sent to gaol, and soon afterwards showed symptoms of "paralysis," indicative of "brain diseasE'." A post mortem examination showed that he had extensive disease of the brain.
The cases of "lunacy" put under treatment were very numerous, but attended with a very small mortality. Most of the cases of "mania" were materially improved by the treatment adopted, and many were cured, while none died. The cases of "melancholia" did not show much mental improvement in the gaol, but their bodilX health was generally improved considerably by proper medicine and diet. The cases of "dementia ' under treatment were not numerous. The fatal case occurred in a man sixty-nine years old, who was very feeble and worn out. On his admission to the gaol he rallied slightly, and at one period showed symptons of recovery, but these favorable appearances soon disappeared, and a post mortem examination showed too extensive disease of the brain to have permitted a recovery.
The cases of "epilepsy" and "hysteria" were nearly all unimportant; one case, however, the . result of habitual intemperance, was a confirmed epileptic, subject to favorable modification by treatment, but promising no permanent cure.
The cases of ., ophthalmia" were numerous, but mostly of a slight description, the disease generally affecting the conjunctiva of the eyelids, and yielding readily to the use of external astringents.
, The fatal case of "hremorrhage" was one of considerable interest; the subject of it was put in hospital for sore throllt and slight cough on the 7th March, on the 10th he vomited about a quart of ~ blood, and on the 11th a quantity of matter tinged with blood; no. vomiting took place again 'till the 18th, when violent vomIting of blood came on, under which he sunk. A post rnortem showed extensive disease of the spleen, which was quite r(ltten and adherent to the cardiac end of the stomach,' through a hole in which the hremorrhage had taken place.
The cases of "bronehitis" were numerous, generally occurring in the winter season, the subjects of them were generally intemperate and suffered from exposure to the weather when lying about under the influence of drink. The cases of "asthma" were not severe, and all derived benefit from the treatment adopted. .
Among the diseases of the" Digestive Organs" the cases of " dyspepsia" were the most numerous, generally caused by drink, and usually easily cured. The fatal case was an old man sixty-three years of age, whose constitution had been broken down by intemperate habits; his digestive organs were very much deranged, "diarrhrea" came on, and after he died, the stomach, liver, bowels, and brain, were all found in a diseased state. The cases of "ileus" (colic) were all cured at once by emetics. The cases of .. hernia" were of the simple inguinal kind, remedied by trusses.
The fatal case of "hepatitis" was ofa chronic nature; it occurred in a man twenty-two years of age who had been ill for a long time previously, after twelve days' treatment, in which no improve-ment took place, he died. A post mortem showed the liver to be badly diseased. .
Among the diseases of the" Generative Organs" a case of vaginal rectocele was operated on with Ii very successful result.
, The diseases of the "Integumentary System" were very numerous. Some cases of " eczema" and some" nlcers" of an extensive nature on the extremities. required a good deal of time tor thefr cure, but the generality of these complaints were mild and tractable.
A.mong the diseases of" Nutrition" the fatal case of" general debility" oceurred in an old woman of fifty-two years, who arrived in the gaol in a state of colla.pse, unconscious, skin and extremities cold, and pulse barely perceptible; every means likely to avail were used for her restoration, but in vain. She arrived in the gaol at half,pMt three in the afternoon, and died at half-past nine the same night.
Amongst the class "Violence," the two cases of fracture were very slight, one of a finger. the other of the metacaryal bone of the little finger. The" contusions," "wounds," and" sprains" were all of the usual kind of minor accidents, not calling for any special remark.
• .,. On the 31st 'December, 1862, there remained in the gaols three lunatics remanded from the police courts and eounty gaols; during the course of 1863, 143 lunatics were remanded from the various benches, gaols, &c., making a total of 146; of these, seventy-two or about 50 per cent. were discharged cured from the gaol, two, or 1'3 per cent. died, sixty-four, or 43 per cent. were committed and sent to the asylnm, and eight remained in the gaol in December, 1863. At the end of 1862 there were also eleven lunatics in the gaols, committed as such by the different country benches; during 1863, fifty-five more were added, making in all sixty-six committed lunatics; of these, one was discharged cured, fifty-two were sent to the Asylum, and thirteen remained in the gaol at the end of 1863.
W. McCREA, Chief Medical Officer.
1.
2.
3.
8
PENTRIDGE STOCKADE.
RETURN of DISEASES which occurred in Hospital during 1863.
I I I Total I Average Total
DISEASES. Number of Duration of Number of Cases h C neaths. i trea.ted. . cae .. s •.
ZYMOTIC DISEASES:-
1. Miasmatic Diseases :- Days.
Scarla.tina ... ... ... ... . .. 1 12 ... Typhus Fever ... ... ... .. . 2 17 . .. Anthrax ... ... . .. .. . ... 3 29 ... Boils ... ... ... ~. ~. ... 11 4 ... Influenza ... ... ... ... ... 55 6 .. , Diarrhooa ... ... .. , .. , 30 8 .. . Colonial Feve~" ... ... ... '" 11 8 ... Rheumatism ... ... ... .. .. . 67 14 . .. .Mumps ... ... ... ... ... 5 3 . ..
2. Entketic Diseases :-
Syphilis ... ... ... ... 2 13 ... Stricture of Urethra ... ... ... . .. 15 21 ...
<.:.>
- Total; Class 1 ... ... ... 202 10 ... ----------
CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES :-
2. Tubercula·r Diseases :-
Scrofl1la ... ... .... . .. ... 3 37 '"
Phthisis ... ... ... ... .., 2 110 ... Abscess ... ... ... ... ... 3 7 ...
'------·Total, Class 2 ... ... ... '8 I 44
I .. .
-~I-----
LOCAL DISEASES:- ,
1.:Diseascs o/tke Nervous System:-
Insanity ... ... .. , ... ... 16 10 ... Epilepsy ... . " ... ... ... 6 27 . .. Ophthalmia '" ... . .. .. , ... 12 14 . ..
2. ])iseases 0/ Organs qf Oirculation :-
Heart Disease ... ... ... ... 16 7 . .. Varicose V cins ... ... , ... ... 2 7 . ..
3. ])iseases qf Respi1'atory System:-
Laryngitis ... ... ... ... .. . 1 10 1 Bronchitis ... ... ... ... .. . 12 11 . .. Plruro-pneumonia ... ... .. . ... 5 16 1 .
4, Diseases o/tke Digestive Organs:-
Piles ... ... ... '" 9 12 ... In tussusception ... ... ... ... 1 12 .. . Dyspepsia ... ... ... ... .. . 86 5 ...
6. Diseases qf Organs 0/ Generation:-
Orchitis ... ... ... ... ... 7 '1 .. .
8. Diseases qf Integumentary; System :-
Acne ... ... .. f ... ... 1 25 ... fficer ... ... ... .. . .. , 4 20 ... Psoriasis ... ... . .. ... ... 11 18. .. .
-----9 -r-Z--Total, Class 3 ... ... .. . 189
Dea.tbs per Cent.
of eases a! Sickness.
'" ... .. . .. . .. . ... .. . '" . ..
'"
'"
.. . ----
'" .. . .. . ----. .. ----
...
... .. .
.. .
. ..
100'0
20'0
.. . ...
...
. ..
.. .
...
... 1'05
,<'
RETURN of Diseases, &c., PENTRIDGE STOCKADE-continued.
1
Total AveragG ToW Deaths Number of Duration of :Number of per Cent. DISl!lASF.'3. J:~. each Caoo. Deaths. °fu::,f
---------------------1·---------------
5. VIOI,ENCE:-
1. Accident or Negligence :-
Contusions . .. . .. Sprains ... '" Poisoning by chloroform
Total, Class 5
TOTALS OF ALL CLASSES ••.
Average daily number of prisoners in the stockade
Number of cases of sickness per cent. of ditto
Number of deaths per cent. of ditto:
REMARKS.
Days.
11
759
57'44
0'38
3
The number of cases of illness treated in hospital during the year was 436, and of this number there were only three deaths; one from" laryngitis," one from" pleuro.pneumonia," and one from the effects of chloroform administered. Besides these three deaths, there was one in the panopticon from suicide.
The number of cases of illness treated out of hospital was 3208, all of which attended to their work during treatment.
"Influenza," "rheumatism," "derangement of the digestive organs," and "stricture of the urethra," were the prevalent diseases among the external and internal patients.
There were two cases of infectious fever (typhus) caused by water· closets improperly placed; these were changed, and there was no infectious fever. There was also one sporadic case of' 'scarlatina," but with the exception of these three cases, there was no infectious disease.
These was no epidemic during the year. There was very little scrofulous disease. Of "insanity" there were seventeen cases. There were many' cases of "ophthalmia," but only one of them was obstinate and severe. Pain in the region of the heart I find a very frequent complaint. For the case of "laryngitis" tracheotomy was performed, which certainly prolonged the man's
life for some days. There were only two cases of "phthisis, both of which are still alive, The case of " intussusception" was an extremely severe one; recovery appeared hopeless for a.
day or two, but it ultimately did well. There were some very severe cases of " stricture" complicated with" orchitis." There was one bad ease of "anthrax," at least eight inches in diameter. Under the head of "Violence," there was only one of great severity. A. stone some tons weight
fell on the back of a man's leg, completely destroying the" tendon achilles," from the calf to the heel; the contused wound has quite healed, and strange to say, the man can walk on the injured leg.
(Signed) J: REED, M.D.,
Resident Surgeon.
No. SO, '6,
•
10
,"',,':" .. , COLLINGWOOD STOCKADE.:c --
RETURN of DISEASES for the Year 1863.
" . I: ~
DISEASES.
1. ZYMOTIC DISEASES :-
1. Miasmatic Dis~ases:- :, Quinsy
, Erysipelas , _" Boils.
Influenza Dysentery Diarrhcea
, Bilious Fever ~
Rheumatism ... Mumps
2. Entltetic Diseases :Syphilis Gonorrhcea ... Stricture of Urethra
4. Parasitic Di'seases:Thursh Worms Scabies
Total, Class 1
2. CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES:-
1. Diathetic Diseases :Gout
2. T1tberculm' Diseases :Scrofula
" Abscess
Total, Class ~
3. 'LOCAL-DISEASES :-
-1. ,Diseases of l'!ervous System:-Otitis Paralysis Insanity Epilepsy Ophthalmia Neuralgia
2. Diseases ,q( q?,.ggn~ if. Oirculation, :,~, , Heart DIsease ... ...
. " 3 •. IJise{tse..~ oJ.<Respiratory Organs :..- . , Bronchitis ' ... ... ...
;:.
Pleurisy Asthma ... <
4. Diseases of IJig~stive Organs:-Piles ". .... Hernia I'
Ileus Fistula
. Dyspepsia Hepatitis
5. IJis~ases if Urinary Organs:-N:ephria ... Enuresis
6. IJiseases of Or,gans of Generation :. Orchitis
."
):."., I
. -.. ,
" n
'i'·~ .
Total Number of
Cases treated.
21 1 7
19 14" 29 3
25 J
14 10 :'5
,I 7 2
159 ----
2
5 '4 ,.
Average Duration of each Case.
----
Days.
5 3 " 7 4
11 7
13 13 "
4
24 24 41
7 4 3
11 ----
4
68 4
Total Deaths per Cent. Number of of Cases of Deaths. Sickness;'
-------
v •
" ..
----- ---1---11 33
--- ---- ----1..:..---
5 3 3 i
'21 2
3
33 1 3
5 4
11 , 1
--104 " ,,1
1 9
1
6 15 34 3 .
18 5
11
10 2
10
10 1 4 3 6
10
37 13
1
',- .. • o:.~ " ...
.'.' ,\
' ... ...
... , ... ",) '<,I' .!..
1 100'0
.,",
11
RETURN of Diseases, &c., COLLINGWOOD STOOJUDE--continued.
'I Total DISEASES. Number of
CaBell treated.
S. LOCAL DISEASES-continued.
7. Diseases oltke Joints:-Periostitis ... ... .. . ... ... 2 Necrosis ... ... ... .. , ... 1
8. Diseas'es err tlul Integumentary System:- j
Phlegmon ... ... ... ... ... 13 Ulcer
... 16 ... .. , ... .. .
Eczema . ... ... ... ... .. . 25 Psoriasis ... . .. ... ... ... 9
~---
Tot~l, Class S ... '" . .. 278
5. VIOLENCE:-
".
]. Accilknt 0')' Negligence :-Fractures ... ... ... . .. 1 Contusions
, 13 ... ... ... ... .. .
1Vounds ... ... .. . ... .. . 19 Sprains ... ... ... .. . ... 12
----Total, Class 5 ... ... .. . '45
----TOTAL OF ALL CLA.SSES ... ... ... 493
Average daily numerical strength of establishment Number of cases of sickness per cent. of ditto
,Number of deaths per cent. of ditto
REMARKS.
I '< '. ~ ...
Total Average Duration of Number of e!lchCaee.
Da)7!l.
9 47
6 21 16 . 23
10
70 13
_~l
~-I ' ,
11 I
217 227'19
0'46
Deathii.
. .. ,. ...
...
... - ' .. .
.. . 1
.... ... ... ... ...
1
-- ' Y .... ""
Deaths perOent.
of. Calles of Sickness.
... " .. .
. .. ...
.. . ~'36
.. . . ..
...
...
. ..
0'20
The amount of disease in' the 'Collingwood Stockade duriu'i the year 1863 was greater than during the previous year, but the mortality was less. The total number of cases of sickness in 1862
• was 401, averaging eleven days e~ch in their 'cure; ~nd ii:t 1863 the tota,l number of cases treated was 493; the period required for 'their cure being the 'sanie as in the p;:e'vious' year. Of these, 162 cases were treated in hospital, an average of eleven days being occupied with each, and'the remainder (331 cases)'were "out patients," who wer~ mired of their maladies without interference with their uRual labor. The mortality was, as usual in this prison, very small, being only at the-rate of about four and a half per thousand occupants of the stockade.
" Zymotic Diseases." The cases of" influenza" and "quinsy" which occurred were the result of sudden alteration of temperature, and were generally cured in three days by prompt treatment in hospital. Of bowel complaints (" diarrhooa " and" dysentery ") the cases were tolerably numerous, mostly requiring treatment in hospital, but yielding readily to the remedies employed; they generally occurred during the warm season of the year among prisoners who had been hard drinkers when at Hbei'ty, and in whom a tendency to congestion of the liver existed. The cases of "rheumatism" were numerous, but only nine out of the twenty-five required to be treated in hospital; several of the prisoners were subj ccts of this disease, and suffered from more than one attack. Of venereal disease the cases were numerous, and occupied a longer time than usual in their cure; this was owing, in the cases of gonorrhooa, to complication with stricture, and in syphilitic cases to the fact, that some of them were secondary and constitutional, which necessitated a ,longer period of treatment. The cases of "worms" were all cases of "ascarides," caused, in all probability, by the larvre of insects in the food or water taken by the prisoners; t)!ey were usually cured by a couple of injections, and often by one of tincture of iron and turpentine, which seemed to act as a specific in this disease.
. Amongst the" Constitutional Diseases" the cases of " gout" occurred in persons who had been previously subject to that complaint; but they were slight, and yielded readily to treatment. Of " scrofula." the cases occurred principally among the Chinese, and generally the glands of the neck were affected; they were mostly protracted. occupying a long period in their cure.
12
" Local Diseases." The three cases of "paralysis" were important. Two· were the result of cer~bral disease, in which the left arm and teg were affected; the other was a case of general paralysis in an old man, who afterwards died of old age and disease of the kidneys; all were afforded slight and temporary relief by rest and the treatment followed. Under the head of "insanity" there was one case remarkable on account of determined malingering. The subjeet was a notorious and accomplished burglar, who had for nearly two years previously in the Pentridge Stockade successfully carried on the deception. Soon after his . removal to the Collingwood Stoekade, where he was subjected to a very close and severe scrutiny, it was detected that an apparent want of power in'one leg was assumed; this led to a mode of treatment which induced him, after a prolonged and determined resistance, to acknowledge his insanity to be feigned. The case of " epilepsy" was slight, and probably arose from peripheral irritation of the intestinal nerves. Of "ophthalmia" the cases we~e tolerably. numerous, and. some of them severe; one case of strumous ophthalmia, affecting all the tissues of the.eye, occupied fifty-two days in treatment; generally, however, they were affections of the conjunctiva, and yielded readily to the external use of simple astringent applications. The two cases of "neuralgia" were cured by hypodermic injections of morphia in the parts affected. The cases of ~' heart di~ease " were valvular, and could only be alleviated by remedying the disorder of the digestive organs, which always aggravated the· complaint. The cases of "bronchitis" were numerous, but not" generally severe, only seven of the thirty,three requiring to be treated in hospital; one, however, was very severe, and required sixty-six days' treatment before a curE\ was effected. The cases of bronchitis mostly occurred in the winter, and were 'the result of cold caught when the digestive organs were out of order. The case of "pleurisy" was sharp, but yielded instantly to· treatment. Of" asthma," the cases which occurred were chronic, the result of old disease of the lungs, and were alleviated by emetics in every instance. The cases 'of H piles" were generally chronic, and occurred in men who had drunk a good deal previously; they yielded readily to cholagogue medicines. Of" hernia" the cases were all inguinal, ouly requiring trusses. The cases of "ileus" (colic) were cured at once by emetics and purgatives.' The case of "fistula" was one in ano; and was cured by an operation. Of" dyspepsia," the cases which occurred were mere disorders of the stomach and digestive organs, and were the most common and numerous complaints in the establishment; they were, in almost all cases, the result of over ,eating, occurring principally in wai-m weather, when the quantity of food required for the wants of the body is less than when the weather is cold, and as the daily ration is the same in all seasons, the prisoners in warm weather eat too much, and dyspeptic complaints arc the result. The treatment of these cases adopted was the obvious one-relieving the over-burdened organs by the necessary medieines. l'he case of " hepatitis" was a mild one, and yielded readily to the remedies used., The case of "nephria" occurred in'a very old mali, a Jew, who suffered from a great many complaints, the usual concomitants of old age; hp was scarcely ever out of hospital through other complaints before he was attacked with this disease, and died at last of "Bright's disease of the kidneys." The cases of " enUresis" were tolerably nnmerou's, but not very severe, and yielded in all instances to the use of sesquichloride of iron. The cases of "phlegmon" were rather more numerous than usual, but were otherwise of no importance. Of" ulcer," the cases '\Ihich occurred were all affections of the extremities; in one, which was very indolent and intractable, the subject was obliged to be confined to bed for nearly six '\leeks. The cases of "skin disease" were numerous, and in some eases required a long course of treatment for their. cure, but ouly three of them needed treatment in hospital, and these only for a short period. .
" Violence." The case of "fracture" was one of the principal bone of the and ultimately did well. The" contusions," "wounds," and " sprains," were mostly of a slight description; all doing well under appropriate treatment.
W. 1vicCREA., Chief Medical Officer.
.13
.PJlN AL· ·RULKs",,'rSUCCESS'?··AND· "SAQRAMENTO,~~) aO~So:N'S BAY.
RETURN of DIBBASES for the Year 1863 . . . .. ",. . . TotaJ .1
. -• '0 - . . , - . .. '~-"'-, Deaths
Number of : Ave~age TotaJ per Cent. DISEASBB.- eases Durntion of Number of ofcasello! .- .. . - -- T'.; __ .. - . trellted; ""cJ:IrCase.· . Deaohs.- - Bick:neIIa.
·--tot
, 1. ZYMOTIC DISEASES:- Days.
1. Miasmatic Diseases :-Chicken.pox ... ... ... .. . ... 1 6 ... ... Quinsy ... ... ... ... ... 2 4 , .. ... Erysipelas ... ... ... ... ... S 14 .. . .. . Erythema ... . .. ... . .. ... 3 18 ... . .. Carbuncle ... ... ... . .. .. . 1 4 ... .. . Boil ... ... ... ... ... .. . 1 1 .. . ... Infiuenza ... ... ... ... . .. 10 6 1 10-0 Catarrh ... ... . .. ... . .. 4 6 .. . .. . Dysentery ... -t- ... ... ... 1 8 ... ... Dlarrhooa ... ' ... ... ... . .. 27 9 . .. ... Ague ... ... ... . .. . .. 4 7 ... ... Remittent Fever ... ... . .. ... 1 3 . .. ... Rheumatism ... ... ... ... '" 17 18 ... ..... Others ... ... ... .... . .. 22 11 . .. . ..
2. E-ntltetic Diseases :-Syphilis ... ... ... ... ... 4 23 .. . .. . Gonorrhooa ... ... ... ... 2 8 . .. ... Stricture of Urethra ... ... ... ... 1 4 .., .. .
3. Dietic Diseases:-Purpura. ... ... ... ... ... 2 22 . .. ...
4. Pa1'asitic Diseases :-Worms ... ... ... . .. ... 1 12 ... .., Scabies ... ... ... ... . .. 7 12 .. . ...
Total. Class 1 ... . .. . .. 116 10 1 0'86
2. CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES:-.=
2. Pubfl1'cula'l' Diseases:-Scrofula ... ... ... ... ,t •• 1 S .. . ... Phthisis ... ... ... ... 1 45 ... .. . Abscess ... ... ... ... .. . 13 7 ... ...
Total, Class 2 ... ... . .. 15 9 ... .. . S. LOCAL DISEASES:-
1. Diseases of the Nervous System:-Paralysis ••• ... ... ... ... 1 6 . .. ... Epilepsy
, 4 9 ... ... ... ... . .. .. .
°ahthalmia ... ... - ... ... ... 26 15 .. . ... o ontalgia ... ... ... ... ... 1 1 .. . ...
3. Diseases of the Respi1'atoryj B:!Jatem:-Bronchitis ... ... • .. ... ... 19 8 '" ... Pleurisy ... .. , ... . .. ... 1 14 .. . ... Others ... ... ... . ... . .. 1 9 . .. ...
4. Diseases oj the DigestivlJ Orga1UJ:--Gastritis ... ... . .. ... ... 4 6 . .. .. . Ascites ... ... ... .. . . .. 1 7 ... ... Ileus ... .,. ... ... ... 4 5 .. . . .. ~spepsia .... ... ... ... ... 19 7 . .. .. .
amatemeS1S ... ... ... ... 1 2 ." .., Liver Disease ... ... ... ... 1 11 . .. .. .
5. Diseases qfthe Urinary Orgams:- . Diuresis ... ... ." ... ... 1 10 ... ...
6. Diseases qfthe Organ.a of (JenC1'ation:-4 Orchitis ... ... ... ... ... 1 ... ...
7. Diseases qftlw Joints;-Joint Disease ... ... ... 2 21 . .. .. .
8. Diseases oftlte Integumentaryj Sgstem:-Phlegmon... ... .. .. ... ... 2 26 ... ... mcer .. , ... ... ... ... 6 24 . .. .. . Eczema. ... . .. f'. ... .. . 2 13 ... .. . Lichen ... ... . .. ... ... 1 1 .. . .. . Lepra ... ... ... .. . 2 16 ." ."
Total, ClaSs 3 ... ... ... 100 11 . " .. . No. 80, c ..
14
RETURN OF Diseases, &c., HULKS" SUCCESS" AND" SACRAMENTO," HOllSON'S BAY-Continued.
Total. Avemga I Total
Deaths DISEASES. Humbolof perCent.
Cases Duration of Number of ofCaaea of treated. each C..... , Deaths. SicJmess.
"
4. DEVELOPMENTAL DISEASES:- Da,ya. 2'. Of Adults:-
Menorrhagia ... ... ... ... ... 1 I) ... . .. Leucorrhcea ... .. , ... ... . .. 1 18 '" ... Amenorrhcea ... ... ... .. . 3 7 ... ... Childbirth ... ... . .. . .. 4 25 ... '" 4. Of Nutrition :..:.... Debility ... ... ... .. . . .. 20 13
I ... ... Total, Class 4 ... ... ... 29 18 ... . ..
O. VIOLENCE:-1. Accident or Negligence :-
Fractures ... ... ... ... ... 1 35 ... . .. Contusions ... ... .. . ... ... 2 6 ... . .. Wounds ... . .. ... ... .. . 3 20 ... ... Burns .. ... ... . .. ... 1 3 '" ... Scalds ... ... ... ... ... 1 4- ... . .. Sprains ... ... .. . . .. ... 1 2 ... . ..
Total, Class 0 ... ... . .. 9 13 . .. ... TOTALS OF ALL CLASSES ... ... 269 11 I 1 0'37
Average daily number of prisoners and officers on board... 168 . Number of cases of sickness per cent. of-ditto... ... 160'12 Number of deaths per cent. of ditto 0'6
REPORT. Although during the year the average number of prisoners on board the hulks was much the
same as in the previous year (1862), I am able to report a eonsiderable diminution of cases under medical treatmcnt, the numbcrs being respectively 269 against 409 in the previous year.
The very marked decrease in the number of caJ3es under treatment is attributable principally to the fact that" diarrhcea," "dysentery," and affections of the "digestive organs," which, in the previous year, produced an aggregate of 178 cases, were, during 1863, only present in fifty.eight cases. The cases of "diarrhcea" and" dysentery" occurred principally in the months of Mllrch and April, and yielded readily to ordinary treatment; and the "dyspepsia," which, as I remarked in my report for 1862, arises prmcipally from the change in ,the habits of the prisoners, consequent on their incarceration, was of mild type, and was easily overcome by simple remedies.'
There were fourteen cases of "influenza" against nine in the previous year; there was, however, nothing extraordinary in connection with this disease, and no other case of " Zymotic Disease" occurred worthy of special remark.
," Rheumatism" and disease of the "respiratory organs" show also a very marked decrease from the numbers of the previous year, forty-nme cases only having been under treatment against seventy in 1862. I attribute thls result to the earlier issue, prior to the winter setting in, of the warm clothing, and to the allowance of matting supplied by the Inspector-General at my suggestion, with a view to the health of the prisoners, who previously had to sleep upon the bare decks •
. Cases of "abscess" and "ulcer," whlch are peculiarly incidental to a prison population, show also a large decrease on the numbers of the .l?revious year,
The most noticeable fact in connectIon with the health of the prisoners in the hulks during 1863, was au outbreak of "ophthalmia," which originated in the month of March, at which time my private observations enable me to state that the disease was epidemic in several districts in the imme· diate vicinity of the Bay. With the exception'of one case, that of a boy, who was removed from the Success to the Sacramento, and had an attack of ophthalmia sometime previous to the general outbreak, the disease was confined to the Success, where it was the cause of twenty-six cases of sickness, all of which, though yielding to careful treatment, were of a· most unmistakeably contagious type. The
. disease continued prevalent among the prisoners until the end of April. I used every precaution whlch tho means at my disposal would permit to isolate the patients, and in the month of May no ea!es occurred; in June, July, and August there were a few cases, with two more towards the ena of the year; but I am gratified to be able to report, that ill no case were any after effects, or permanent injury to sight sustained by the patients.
The cases of " external injuries, contusions, &c.," show also a large decrease on the previous year, the numbers being respectively nine and seventeen, the only case worthy of notice was that of a boy, who sustained a fracture of both bones of the forearm; but, after the ordinary course of treatment, was discharged cured. .
During the previous year I had to record four deaths, all of them children under three years of age. During the year, under notice one death only occurred, the disease being "influenza," and the patient a female, brogght into the hulks in a most debilitated state from intemperance and exposure. Lam gratified to be able to report, that n.o d!'lath occurred amongst the children in the hulks; and, generally, that the health of the prisoners contrasts favorably with the previouB period during whlch the hulks have been under my medical charge.
AND. PLUMMER, M.D., Sandridge, 24th February, 1864. ,Medica! Officer in charge of Hulks ip. Hobson's Bay.
15
GAOLS, W ATCBBOUSES, AND IMMIGRATION DEPOT, GEELONG. c
RETURN of DISEASES during the Year 1863.
i
I Total Average Total Deaths DIBE.A.SEB. Number of. Dnmtion of Number of , Cases
each Case. Death •• treated.
1. ZYMOTIC DISEASES:-Days.
l. Miasmatic Diseases :-Chicken-l?ox ... '" ... ... . .. 2 11 ... .. . Diphtheria. ... ... . .. ... ... 3 14 1 33'3 Quinsy ... ... ... . .. . .. 5 5 . .. .. . Whoopin~cough ... ... . .. .. . 2 22 ... . .. Typhoid ever ... ... ... ." 3 18
lit 1 33'3
Erysipelas ... ... ... ... .. . 1 '8 ... . .. Erytliema ... . " ... . .. ... 1 9 ... ." Boils ... ... . .. . .. .. . I) I) . " .. . Influenza ... '" ... ... ... 5 3 ... . .. Catarrh ... ... , .. ... .., 4 4 ... .. . Dysentery ... ... ... ... .. . 30 4 ... . .. . Diarrhala ... ... ... ... .. . 29 4 ... . ..
• Remittent Fever ... ... . .. 1 7 . .. .. . Simple continued Fever ... ... ... 13 14 ... . .. Rheumatism ... ... ... ... .. . 43 4 ... .. . Mumps ... ... ... . .. ... 1 2 ... .. .
2. Entketic Diseases :-Syphilis ... . " ... ... '" 4 46 ... . .. GonorrhalR ... ... ... .. . ... 4 9 ... .. . Paraphimosis ... ... ... ... 1 2 . .. . ..
3. lJietic Diseases :-Delirium Tremens ... . .. ... ., . 22 6 ... . ..
4. Pwraaitic Diseases :-Worms ... ... ... ... ... 1 2 . .. . .. Pediculi ... . .. ... .. . . .. 2 1 ... .. . Ringworm ... ... ... ... .. . 4 7 ... .. . Scabies ... ... ... ... i •• 2 8 .. . ...
Total, Class 1 ... ... ... 188 7 2 1'06
2 CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES :- ,
1. Diatketie Diseases :-Dropsy ... ... ... ... ... 1 5' .. . ..•
2. Tubercular Diseases :-Bubo ... ... ... . .. ... 1 2 .. . Abscess ... ... . " ... .. . 3 7 . .. ...
Total, Class 2 ... ... . .. 5 6 ... . .. , .
3 LOCAL DISEASES :-
1. Diseases oftke Nervous System Otitis ... . . ... ... ... 1 4 . .. ... Insanity ... ... ... ... ... 21 40 .. . ... Epilepsy ... ... ... ... ... 6 2 . .. ... Softening of Brain ... ... ... ... 3 10 .. . . .. Congestion of Brain .. , ... ... ... 1 3 ... .. . Ophthalmia ... ... ... . .. ... 7 5 . ..
2. Diseases of Organs qf Oirculation :-Valvular Disease of the Heart ... ... ... 2 4 ... ... Varicose Veins ... ... ... .. . 5 3 . .. . ..
3. Diseases qftke RespiJrato1"Jj System:-Bronchitis' ... ... . .. ." ... 26 4 '" '" Pleurisy ... ... ... . .. ... 2 9 '" .. .
4. Di.~eases oftke Digestive Organs :-Piles ... ... ... ... ... 1 3 ... ... Hernia ... ... ... ... .. . 2 5 ... ... Ileus ... ... ... ... .. . 29 1 ... . .. Constipation ... ... ... ... ... '71 1 ... '" Dyspepsia ... ... ... , .. . .. 64 2 .. . . ..
<,
16
RET'C!~N, of ,Dis,eases, &0.", GJ\.OLS, W ATCHHOUSES, AND IMMIGRATION DEPtiT, GEELONG-continued. ~ It • .,' • • ... t ~ ~ 't' <
" ' " "
"
,1OIu ~.~~~~-,,-.,-.~- ~ \, ..... , "-,-"",-
.'- ' .~~~
3;cLOOAL 'DisEASE~conii~'lied." --
4.
. .
5. "
I
/)~ ,Diseases qftke Urinaryj Organs:-~Buria '" ... ... ... . ..
• buminui'ia ... , ... • .. ... ... 6~ Diseases qf Organs qf Generation :-
i Orohitis :.... ... . .. ... ... 7. Diseases qftke Joints :-
'.; Necrosis (of Teeth) ... ... ... ... Synovitis . ... ... ... ... .. . Sciatica ... ... ... ... ...
S. Dis~ases qf tke Integumentary ,System :-Phlegmon .. .' ...' ... ... . ... Ulcer ... ... . .. ... ... Psoriasis ... ... ... ... .. . Herpes ... ... ... . .. ... Chilblain ... ... ... .. . ... Urtioaria ... ... . .. ... ... Eczema ... ... . .. . .. ...
Total, Class 3 ... ... ...
DEVELOPMENTAL DISEASES :-
2. Of Adults:-Menorrhagia ... ... ... ... ... Amenorrhcea ... ... ... .. . ... Leucorrhcea ... .... ... ... .... Prolapsus Literi ... ... ... ...
4. ,. % Nutriticrn :- . ability ... ... ... ... .. .
"
Total, Class 4 ... ... .... VIOLENOE :-.-
1.
. Accident or Negligence :-
Fractures ... . .. ... ... .. , Contusions .... .. ' ... ... .... ~rains ~ .. ... ... . .. ..,
ounde (Cuts) , ,~ 1 .. , ... , .. Soald .. ~ ... ... ... ... Poison U Laudanum ... ... ... . .. 'Bite, se .inflioted in a'fit ... ... H •
'Bite, by a lunatio ... ... ... . ..
Total, Class /) ... ... ...
Totals of all Classes ... ... . .. "
Average , daily number of establishments attenaed ,N,umber of cases of siokness per oent. of ditto Number of deaths per cent. of ditto
Tota.! Average Numb.rof Duration of _Cases_ oaCllCa:.e, treated.
'"
Days.
2 1 1 7
2 27
·14 1 1 9 1 3
1 8 3 4 8 7 1 7
'2 ,4 1 3 1 /)
"
279 6
10 4 4 4 1 io 1 22
31 8
47 7
1 18 , 2 4
4 4 11 ,4
1 "24 '2 4 1 3 2 2
24 . 5
543: ' , 6
. ToW
Number of Deaths:
... . ..
...
... ' . ... . ..
... ... .. . ...
... .. .
.. .
. ..
. ..
... .. . .. . 1
'J
1 ,
,
... .. .
.. . , '" .. . ... ...
.. .
... 3
109 498'16
2'75
Deaths po, Cent.
of Case. of Sickness.
. ..
. ..
. .. .. . .. . . .. .. . .. . ... .. . .. . . .. ...
. ..
.. . ... ...
...
3'22
2'13
... ...
.. . . , .. ...
.. .
...
...
. .. 0'55
17
REPORT ON CASES OF ILLNESS IN GEELONG GAOLS, ETC.
The average duration of the cases of illness undcr my care in the Geelong gaols during the yeal" 1863, has not on the whole been lengthened, or the period of convalescence naturally protracted, save in a few instances.
Both gaols may be stated to be healthy, very dry, and well ventilated, and kept remarkably clean. In the North Geelong gaol there has been no crowding of prisoners at any time, the accom· modation being ample.
l'he character of the diseases and number of cases in 1863 varied but little from the l?revious year, indeed, was rather less; until the quarter terminating 31st December, when a eonSlderable IDcreaae in the rate of illness took place. In particular, dysentery became very frequent amongst male prisoners. In 1863 I observed a manifest increase .in the amount and severity or disease amongst Immigrants in thc deplJt here. This was specially noticeable in those persons who' came from the manufacturing towns and districts in England; the constitutions of this class of inImigrants being evidently less able to bear up against any kind of hardship, their minds also yielding easily to despondencv and dissatisfaction, and they were less robust, less able to bear up against any disturbed cause, requiring more nursing and attention than immigrants from the agricultural districts.
"Dyspepsia." One of thc most frequent complaints amongst persons of both sexes, and of all ages above twenty. It appears chiefly attributable to change of diet.
H Constipation" is also one of the ordinary indispositions, arising in nearly all cases from inactivity of the liver. Treated invariably as the preceding, by house medicine and low diet.
"1Jelirium Tremens." About the average number of cases. None presenting anything unusual, and all, without a single exception, recovering within a fortnight or three weeks on "expectant treat. ment." In one case only duri ;year, occurring in a confirmed drunkard, whose system appeared completely shattered by habitu 'sslpation, I allowed brandy twice a day.
It seems something of an anomaly, that if a person gets drunk and disorderly, either fine or imprisonment is awarded as a punishment, whilst if the same person drinks until he becomes insane, and of necessity dangerous to himself or others, he is remanded for medical treatment, cared for till cured, and then dismissed scot free, or at most with a mild recommendation from the bench " not to do it again."
"Dysentery." Troublesome and frequent amongst male prisoners in the last quarter of the . year 1863. It did not, however, appear to be of an obstinate or dangerous character, although relapses \were common.
All cases recovered under Dover's powder and nitrate of potass, with rice diet, and sometimes t small quantities of brandy and water.
" Diphtheria." Two cases, both in children under five years of age. One had the complaint . when brought in with the mother to the South gaol. This case terminated fatally. The other case I (also a child of the prisoner's) sickened afterwards, but recovered. Both were treated with permanganate , of potaBB, beef tea, and brandy and water. A cloth wetted in cold water being kept constantly applied round the throat. ' .
"Lunacy." Between twenty and thirty cases (exclusive of delirium tremens) in the year 1863, the major proportion of the number being violent, some of them dangerous.
In the South gaol the insane females were suffered to accumulate (owing to want of room at the ; asylum); and we had, at one time, seven confined together in a small hospital ward at night, and in the . day time turned into a small yard with little or no shelter from the sun; the consequence of this was, that nearly the whole seven had to be kept in strait jackets, and closely watched, being unavoidably 'exposed to causes of excitement, owing to want of proper accommodation for lunatics. Their noise and language have heen at times exceedingly annoying and troublesome to o~her (sane) prisoners.
Several male lunatics have, at various. times, been confined in the padded cell. It has been found useful, but is hot and close in sultry weather.
"Rheumatism." No severe cases either of the acute or chronic form. "Malingering." No attempts at simulating disease in 1863.
, "Accidents." A good many; chiefly sprains or blows from pieces of stone; none of them l!eriou8.
" Chest diseases." Mild and easily cured in 1863. . " Fevers." Simple continued fevers in the gaols. Typhpid fever amongst immigrants. The former not severe in character, and yielding readily to chlorate of potass treatment. The latter in all cases obstinate and dangerous; no change for the better until after the 21st day. Convalescence protracted, requiring. a good deal of stimulus to sustain the eufeebled powers of life.
"Deaths." Three deaths; one of debility in a lunatic, one of diphtheria, one of typhoid fever. There appelll's to be nothing else requiring special notice during the year 1863.
. CRAS. T. MACKIN, Medical Officer of Gaols, &c., at Geelong. , Geelong, 11th February, 1864.
By Authority: JOHN FERRES; Government Printer, Melbourne.
No. 30, d.