Superintendent’s Office, Auckland,
January 15, 1857.

THE following Report and Returns, furnished by the Provincial Surgeon, are published for general information.

J. WILLIAMSON,
Superintendent

Provincial Hospital,
Auckland, 1st January, 1857.

Sir,—

I do myself the honor of forwarding for your Honor’s information the Annual Report of the Medical Department for the year 1856, together with Returns of the Patients who received medical treatment at the Provincial Hospital, Lunatic Asylum, and Auckland Gaol during that period, and also of those at the Stockade since the opening of that establishment.

When I took charge of this department, in July, 1856, I made myself acquainted with the wants and requirements of the institutions then placed under my care, a detail of which I have already transmitted to your Honor. It is therefore obviously unnecessary, on the present occasion to trouble you with any lengthened remarks on this subject.

On comparing the return of patients admitted into the Provincial Hospital in the year 1856 with that of the preceding year, we find the numbers nearly equal, showing only an increase of nine patients.

The “out-door” patients who received medical treatment during the same period, the greater part of whom have been aboriginal natives, exceed those of 1855 by 23 cases.

In the Lunatic Asylum, 22 cases of insanity have been treated during 1856, showing the relative increase of that deplorable malady to be much greater than any other form of disease, for, on reference to the Return of 1855, we find only 16 cases have been treated during that year.

The new prison at Mount Eden not having been opened until September last, the number treated in that establishment was necessarily small.

By referring to the records of the City Gaol, I find the number treated there to be 223, making in all 553 cases which received medical treatment during the past year in the several Institutions now under my charge.

The obituary shows in the Provincial Hospital 16 deaths, and in the Lunatic Asylum 3, which is less than 3 ½ per cent. of the whole number.

I may here be permitted to observe, that a very marked improvement has taken place in the condition and management of the insane patients in the Lunatic Asylum since books were placed in their hands, and I have much pleasure in stating, that the Library, which I am doing my utmost to establish by private contribution, continues to receive fresh additions to its catalogue, so that I have every confidence in being able to establish a good library by this means alone.

The most prevalent diseases which have come under my notice among the Europeans have been those of the heart, kidneys, and liver, frequently terminating in general dropsy; and I will here take the liberty of observing, what is a matter of deep regret, that in most instances I have traced the cause of those fatal diseases to an excessive indulgence in the use of ardent spirits.

The complaints which obtain more particularly among the aboriginal natives, are of a scrofulous and rheumatic character; their well-known disregard of cleanliness, insufficiency of clothing, and use of improper diet, inducing a strong tendency to those affections.

It is a matter of congratulation, that the inconvenience hitherto experienced in conveying patients from the City to the Hospital, will very soon be obviated by the opening of the new road now being made from Auckland in the direction of this Institution, thus removing a very fertile source of complaint against the situation of the building which in other respects is unobjectionable.*

It is worthy of record, that although on several occasions we have had diseases of a contagious nature under treatment, in no instance have they been communicated either to patients or attendants; this I attribute to the maintenance of perfect cleanliness, together with the remarkably healthy situation of the Hospital.

I am happy to have to report that the year just ended has been very healthy, and that no epidemic has appeared either in the City of Auckland or in any part of this delightful and salubrious Province; indeed, it is one of the most remarkable features of the climate of New Zealand, and of this Province in particular, that when epidemic diseases do present themselves, they invariably assume the mildest aspects.

I regret that this report is not so comprehensive as it ought to be, as I have had charge of the medical department only for the last six months.

It gives me great pleasure to acquaint your Honor, that I have, at all times, experienced the most perfect willingness, on the part of the nurses and attendants in the Hospital and Asylum, to obey my orders and to carry out those regulations which are laid down for their guidance; and I beg to assure you that I shall constantly endeavour to preserve that harmony and good feeling which now prevails amongst them.

Your Honor may rely, that I consider it not the least part of my duty to promote in the various establishments under my care, the strictest economy, consistent with the comfort and health of the patients.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your Honor’s most obedient
Humble Servant,
T. F. McGAURAN,
Provincial Surgeon.

His Honor the Superintendent,
Auckland.

• The word “unobjectionable” refers to the situation of the building, and not to the plan or size.—T. F. M'G.