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The ascending aorta was aneurismal, and the liver also was diseased. 3rd. T. G., male, aged 46 years; died fourteen hours after admission; enormous hypertrophy; aortic valves ossified and shortened. 4th. J. B., male, aged 31 years; died thirty-six hours after admission. Morbid appearances found were hypertrophy of both ventricles, valvular disease, pericardium full of serum.

LIVER DISEASE

There was admitted 14th October, a very interesting case of Liver Disease in A. N., female; aged 40 years. The symptoms were deep greenish-yellow jaundice, want of appetite, and progressive emaciation. After death on December 19th, three angular biliary calculi, weighing 50 grains in all, were found impacted in the neck of the gall-bladder and cemented together by inspissated bile. The liver was greatly enlarged, and the heart resembled a mass of yellow fat. The subject of this disease was of very temperate habits and had been long ill.

STOMACH

A fatal case of intractable vomiting occasioned by excessive drinking occurred in E. S., female; aged 23 years. She died on the day after admission.

BOWELS

There were three fatal cases of Bowel Complaint: — 1st. P. O., male; aged 56 years. This was an example of Recto-vesical fistula. 2nd. I. I., male; aged 27 years. Died the day after admission. 3rd. J. C., male; aged 52 years. A case of diseased liver and bowels. Died a fortnight after admission.

RHEUMATISM

There was one fatal case under this head, P. O’H., male, aged 62 years, who had besides protracted dysentery.

CANCER

A fatal case of Cancer of the Uterus occurred in J. H., aged 36 years. She had been ill for years, and the organs affected were in a putrid state.

SYPHILIS

Two fatal cases of Syphilitic disease occurred: — 1st. In P. P., male, aged 58 years, who for years had suffered from a corroding ulceration on his left temple, ending in Erysipelas rapidly fatal. 2nd. W. D., male, aged 57 years, affected with phagedenic ulceration, and survived only six days.

GENERAL DEBILITY

Under this heading is returned the fatal case of W. N., male, aged 65 years. He had been in Hospital since December, 1859, and sank November 22, 1861.

ACCIDENTS

Thirty-eight (38) cases of accident occurred during the year, of which 14 were fractures. One of these has proved fatal in the present year, 1862—namely, Fracture of the Pelvis and of the neck of the left thigh bone. A very rare instance of dislocation occurred—namely, downwards and inwards; the subject thereof was employed in excavating at the “Huia” Mills, when a bank of earth fell upon him, almost burying him alive. After the lapse of ten days he was sent to Hospital, when from the tumefaction and contusion, the exact nature of the injury could not be ascertained... After some time, however, it became manifest, and reduction was effected under Chloroform, and a good recovery obtained.

ACCIDENTS AND GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Two capital operations were performed. 1st. M. I., female, aged 41 years, had her right forearm amputated for scrofulous disease of the hand and wrists. This patient has made a favourable recovery. 2nd. M. K., male, aged 34 years, having had his right hand dreadfully lacerated by a circular saw, at the “Huia” Mill, underwent amputation of the fore-arm, and recovered favourably. My best thanks are due to those of my professional brethren who on these occasions lent me their valuable assistance.

The conduct of the patients during the year has been good, very few of them requiring admonition.

In concluding the remarks on the Hospital, I would call attention to the fact, that since the sale of the building allotments adjoining the Hospital on the Grafton-road, our supply of water from the brook has been cut off, and suggest that a Tank be sunk to collect the rain water which falls on the roof of the building.

Of the 54 cases remaining about two-thirds are chronic, and do not call for any remark; they would be more suitable inmates of a house of Industry, than of an Hospital.

Of the remaining third, the most urgent is the case of aneurism of the aorta in G. S., admitted April 15th, aged 41 years.

LUNATIC ASYLUM

At the end of 1860, there were 40 persons in the Lunatic Asylum: of these during 1861 there have been discharged 4, viz. R. T., male; aged 52 years, European; had been in the Asylum 4 years, the last two confined to his bed, and constantly imploring everyone who visited him to destroy him. Most unexpectedly this man recovered the use of his reason, and after a proper period of probation was discharged under the custody of his friends, since which he has been doing well. 2. A native man admitted July, 1860; discharged April, 1861. 3. M. C., male, aged 17 years. Admitted November, 1860, with mental derangement occasioned by drinking; speedily improved, and was discharged January 31st, 1861. 4. P. H., male, aged 31 years. Admitted December 15th, 1860, under circumstances similar to the last; discharged January 7th, 1861.

Of the 40 have died, viz., M. H., female, European, aged 51 years. Admitted June, 1859; died suddenly in an apoplectic fit, 8th August, 1861. On examination a large quantity of serum was found under the arachnoid membrane. A year before her death she had a severe attack of Erysipelas of the head and face. 2. A native man aged about 60 years; sent into the Asylum from Kohimarama at the time of the native conference in July, 1860. Decided evidence of diseased brain soon appeared and after some months’ confinement...