Medical Men................................. 33
Visit by Ladies’ ......................... 389

Total...................................... 647

REMARKS, &c.—Attention is earnestly called to the representations made in last report of the want of water at the Hospital. The well should be sunk deeper, or a tank should be constructed to collect the rain water which falls on the roof. It is recommended that the Hospital and Asylum buildings should be insured against the contingency of fire. A complete set of surgical instruments should be provided for the use of the Hospital, also a new supply of books for the library, which is in a wretched condition. The Hospital fence is also in great need of repair, and it is recommended that trees be planted around the paddock for ornament and shelter. The female patients are at present unavoidably associated with the men by using the same passages and thoroughfares. It is surprising that by the present arrangement some danger has not occurred to morality; yet nothing improper has ever come under my notice. The rear of the building should be enclosed by a suitable fence or wall, divided into yards for male and female patients respectively, and between them there should be no communication. The roof of the building leaks in many places, and would require to be shingled anew. Most of the water casks are unserviceable, and a new supply is imperatively demanded.

LUNATIC ASYLUM.

At the end of 1861, there were forty-two inmates in the Lunatic Asylum, of these three have since died, viz.—1. C. C., female, aged 54 years, on February 8th, worn out by the ravages of cancer of the breast, after a residence of seven years in the Asylum. 2. A Native female of consumptive habit, died on June 1st. She had been about six months in the Asylum. 3. P. C., male, aged 32 years, admitted 6th February, and died June 4th. At one period this poor man scarcely ever ceased bellowing, but he latterly sank into paralytic helplessness. Vast effusion of serum was found in and upon the brain. Two were discharged; of whom, however, one has been since re-committed, not on account of any violence on his part but from having been so unfortunate as to be smitten with a tender regard for a lady in a higher sphere of life than himself.

Of the thirty-seven old cases remaining, no improvement can be reported in any except a few, I mean as to sanity.

During 1862, there have been admitted twenty new cases; eight of these have been discharged, but two were subsequently re-committed. One died of dysentery on June 5th, after an illness of three weeks; this man was sent to the Asylum from the town gaol, where he had long been confined for murder. About six feet of the large intestine were found in a gangrenous state.

The most extensive disease was found in right hip joint, with destruction of the head of the thigh bone, perforation of pelvis, collection of matter in loins and down the thigh.

2. W. G., male, aged 60 years. He had been in the Hospital about twelve years, during eight of which he was closely confined to bed. The knee-joints were completely disorganised and filled with pulpy matter. The feet and legs resembled those of a person affected with Elephantiasis. The heart was converted into a mass of fat, and all over the body the cellular tissue was enormously hypertrophied.

WOUNDs.—Under wounds is the case of J. F., male, aged 52 years. He was sent down from Papakura on September 4th, having received a severe lacerated wound on the calf of right leg seven days before. Mortification ensued, and death took place on the 8th of September.

FRACTUREs.—Under the head of Fractures is the case of W. F., male, aged 60 years; remaining from last year, with fracture of neck of left thigh bone; death took place on January 9th. In addition to the fracture of thigh, the pelvis was found to have been fractured. 2. W. McC., male, aged 53 years, admitted from Otahuhu on October 3rd, having fallen into a scoria quarry from a height of 30 feet. He died on October 6th. The right haunch bone was found fractured, the fourth rib of the same side, also the left forearm. The pericardium contained a quantity of blood. The last fatal case is that of R. R., male, aged 60 years, sent in from Panmure in a dying state on September 6th, and dying on September 8th.

SCURVY.—Four cases of genuine sea scurvy were sent on shore from the ship “Blundell,” and recovered favourably.

ACCIDENTS.—The number of casualties treated during the year amounts to 47, including 19 fractures. Of these, three proved fatal, and a few remain under treatment. Some of the accidents from the sawing stations were of a very dreadful nature, but in none was any capital operation deemed necessary.

On the 23rd December, Mr. W. M’Guire, who was the head nurse of the Hospital for many years, died of general debility. He had been failing for some months previously.

Exclusive of the visits of the patients’ friends and relatives, the following visits were made to the Hospital by the general public, as below:

Ministers of Church of England ..................... 102
“ Rome ............................................ 98
“ Scotland ...................................... 23
“ Primitive Methodist Church ................ 28
“ Independent do. .............................. 12
“ Wesleyan do. .................................... 4

His Excellency the Governor ..................... 1
His Honor the Superintendent ................... 1
Committee of Provincial Council ............... 1
Captains of ships ................................. 5