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charged, and 3 remain. The case of “Scrofula” remains still uncured, the subject is a native girl. Of the 3 “Syphilitic” cases, 1 died; the disease assumed the form of a corroding ulcer of the integuments of the head and face, and proved fatal by Erysipelas; the other two were discharged. Of the three “Fractures” all have been discharged, cured, (one of them after amputation of the leg referred to in last return). The case of “Sprain” has been discharged, also the case of “Stiff-joint” after compound dislocation of the ankle, the patient having obtained a good use of his foot. Two cases of “General Debility” have been discharged, and two remain.

FEVERS.—The numerical sum of “Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths,” in 1861, does not differ widely from that of the preceding year, being, however, slightly in excess. The most notable feature in the present return is to the great increase of “Fever” cases, the number admitted amounting to 33, while only six were admitted in 1860. In fact there occurred in the past year throughout the island, a widely spread epidemic of fever, the type of which was decidedly typhoid, some of the cases, in particular one from Waiheke, rivalling in intensity the worst usually met with in the crowded cities of the old country. Of the 33 admitted, 8 died, or 24 per cent.

1st. J. F. male, aged 24 years, was admitted February 23rd, on the 11th day of the disease. This patient speedily became comatose, and died on March 3rd, being the 9th day from admission.

2nd. M. K. female, aged 12 years, admitted in a state of insensibility, and died on the 6th day afterwards.

3rd. W. H. male, aged 21 years, a half-caste, died on the 7th day from admission.

4th. W. R. male, aged 27 years, died on the 4th day from admission.

5th. J. L. female, aged 25 years, died on the 3rd day from admission.

6th. G. H. A. male, aged 24 years, was ill a week before admission; on became comatose and died at the end of 8 days. A considerable amount of serum was found to have been effused upon the upper and back part of the left hemisphere of the brain.

7th. A. McM. female, aged 12 years, ill a week before admission, died 11 days afterwards.

8th. J. B. male, aged 25 years, brought from Aotea, where he had been ill 3 weeks, died on the 5th day from admission.

In all these (except the last, which was complicated with Pneumonia) the predominating symptoms were indicative of brain-disorder. Some of the recoveries were hair-breadth escapes, and during the prevalence of the epidemic which lasted from January till July, the most unremitting attention was demanded of the Hospital attendants. It is worthy of remark, that in no case was the disease communicated by those affected to the other patients in Hospital, thus evincing the general cleanliness and ventilation of the wards, and confuting the slanderous statements to the contrary, made in and out of the Provincial Council.

ABSCESS.—Under the heading of “Abscess” is the fatal case of H. McG., soldier’s wife aged 23 years, admitted from ship-board in a most reduced state from mammary abscess. She survived 27 days. No post mortem examination was permitted.

BRAIN AFFECTIONS.—There are 5 fatal cases of Brain Affection.

1st. C. B., male, aged 43 years, an old apoplectic case, the result of many years’ hard drinking.

2nd. E. B., male, aged 58 years, very similar to the last, was fourteen days in hospital.

3rd. A. W., female, aged 43 years, lower extremities paralyzed; in hospital seven days.

4th. F. F., male, aged 45 years, of very intemperate habits; idiotic when admitted; speedily became paralytic. Great disease of the brain was found on dissection, chronic softening and superabundant effusion into the ventricles.

5th. S. A., female, aged 54 years, of sober habits, but the subject of much family affliction and mental anxiety. Had an apoplectic attack previous to her admission; speedily became comatose and parelytic on right side. The left side of the brain looked like thick custard, and there was much serum in the ventricles.

DELIRIUM TREMENS.—One patient died from delirium tremens. F. A., male, aged 40 years, of very drunken habits; was apoplectic on admission, and died in forty hours afterwards. No examination.

PNEUMONIA.—One patient, W. B., male, aged 61 years, died thirteen hours after admission with inflammation of the lungs, two-thirds of the right lung being found completely solidified and incapable of admitting air. The heart was greatly dilated and almost wholly converted into a mass of fat.

PHTHISIS.—Five persons died of “pulmonary consumption.”

1st. Y. P., seaman, of the French ship “General Teste,” aged 17 years; died on the sixth day from admission.

2nd. O. McG., aged 30 years; survived several months. Had acute curvature of the spine; both lungs were found filled with tubercles in all stages.

3rd. S. T. female, aged 13 years; had been repeatedly in hospital for spitting of blood to an extraordinary extent, considering the age of the patient. Was not examined.

4th. T. W., aged 23 years, seaman, of H.M.S. “Miranda”; sent on shore to hospital in a hopeless state; survived a month. The right lung was found completely disorganized. The liver also was tubercular, and the cornea of both eyes ulcerated.

5th. W. M., aged 22 years, a seaman, belonging to the United States; was forty days in hospital; died rather suddenly. Right lung found collapsed and pleura full of sero-purulent fluid.

HEART DISEASE.—Four patients died of heart disease.

1st. W. K., male, aged 64 years; had been repeatedly in Hospital with general dropsy.

2nd. J. McG., male, aged 45 years; repeatedly in hospital; on the last occasion from May 23 to Oct. 8. There was enormous hypertrophy of the heart, which weighed four pounds and equalled in size a bullock’s heart.