The Straits Settlements medical report.

  • Straits Settlements. Medical Department.
Date:
[1906]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Straits Settlements medical report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    14- Table//gives their description of mental disease. As in previous years a very large number were in a poor physical condition, Table VI shews that 18 died with under a month’s residence and other 14 with under three months’ residence—a total of nearly half our deaths for the year. Discharges. 15. Ninety-six (96) patients were discharged recovered giving a recovery rate of 41*56 per cent on the admissions. This is a favourable rate and has been maintained for several years past with the exception of 1903 when it dropped to 34-84. 16. During the past year as stated before efforts have been made to return unrecovered patients to their friends when suitable cases occurred, with what success the following paragraph shews. In this way a distinct advantage has been conferred upon the patients, the institution has been freed from the burden of their maintenance, and its overcrowding lessened. 17. Thirty-eight (38) patients have been discharged relieved and five (5) not improved to the care of their friends. But one of these has had to be returned to us, a female who became quite unmanageable at home. Deaths. 18. Seventy-one (71) males and four (4) females died in 1906, giving a percentage of 2577 on the average daily number resident, as compared with a rate of 23*34 for the previous year. The female death-rate of 8*88 is the lowest we have ever had. The poor physical state of a large number of the admissions, already alluded to, must not be forgotten as a prominent factor in swelling the mortality rate. 19. Table V shews the causes of death, with the age at death. 20. Post mortem examinations are made in all cases where the body is not removed by relatives, and the great importance of such examination was shewn in many instances. Industries. 21. Nearly eighty per cent, of our inmates have been employed more or less- usefully, daily throughout the year. The loom sheds, kitchen, washhouse, gardens, employ a large number, and others are occupied sweeping and cleaning. 22. Although the looms were not at work during May and June, there have been made 4,848 yards of check cloth, as compared with 4,431 yards manufactured last year. We were only able to make nine cotton blankets as there was no raw cotton in the Singapore market. All the material made has been used up for clothing. General. 23. The revenue derived from paying patients amounted to $3,735.77, sale of stores and refuse rice produced $66.24. 24. The monthly cost of maintenance per head has been $12.62 exclusive of Public Works Department expenditure. 25. I returned from leave and took over charge on 22nd March from Dr. GlBBS, who then left to take up the appointment of Resident Medical Officer at Tan Tock Seng’s Hospital. During the many years Dr. Gibbs has been Assistant Medical Officer in this Asylum he has worked both hard and well and I am pleased to take this opportunity of recording my thanks for much able help and assistance. Mr. Norris took up the appointment of Assistant Medical Officer in March. Mrs. Hartnell, Matron, went on leave in April and resigned in England later in the year—Mrs. White was appointed Acting Matron until the arrival of a new Matron from England and carried on the duties until the end of the year. The European Head Attendants have worked satisfactorily throughout the year. There, have been fewer small breaches of discipline among the native staff than usual and none of any importance.