Native Land Court Office,
Auckland, May 15, 1866.

IN addition to those already Gazetted, the undermentioned Gentlemen have received Licenses to Survey Lands under the "Native Lands Act, 1865."

F. H. BURSLEM, Esq.
RICHARD COLEMAN DAVIS, Esq.
WILLIAM BUSBY, Esq.

F. D. FENTON,
Chief Judge.

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL, &c., &c.

ANNUAL MEDICAL REPORT, 1865.

The number of patients admitted into the Auckland Provincial Hospital during the year 1865 was 622, being 176 more than in the preceding year; and the number of deaths has been 94, or 13½ per cent. of the total treated, nearly the same proportion as last year, viz.,—1864.

Of this mortality nearly the half was caused by fever, pulmonary consumption, and dysentery.

As the prominent features of all the fatal cases are given in a tabular form, it will not be necessary here to do more than offer a few general observations.

FEVER.—Fever has been very prevalent—68 cases were admitted, of which 18 died, being 25 per cent. of the total treated. The time in hospital of each fatal case was, on an average, 8½ days, ranging from 12 hours to 33 days, and shewing that we must have received our fever patients mostly in an advanced stage.

Fever, with intestinal complication, that is to say, “Typhoid” fever, was the prevailing type. The characteristic rose-colored eruption was seen in most of the cases, and contemporaneously with this, the inflammation and ulceration of the mucous glands of the intestines—large and small. In several cases perforation of the bowels occurred, shewing with what care we should refrain from giving irritating food or medicine in fever. A cordial and supporting regimen was observed, and milk and beef-tea were assiduously administered, day and night, while the diarrhoea was combated by opiates, astringents, and fomentations of turpentine. Much injury was done to several of the fever-patients by removing them from their abodes to the hospital at an advanced period of the disease, some never having rallied from the depression caused by physical disturbance.

ABSCESSES AND ULCER.—A patient with intractable and long-continued ulceration of the leg was sent to hospital for the purpose of undergoing amputation. This was done by circular incision below the knee, while under the influence of chloroform. A good stump was obtained, although recovery was retarded by a diseased condition of the other leg, resembling elephantiasis. The use of iodine externally and internally was very beneficial in this case.

Two cases of internal abscesses proved fatal:—one was a passenger by an emigrant ship, from which, on arrival in harbour, he was transferred to the hospital. His constitution was strumous, and the bones and cartilages of the loins were destroyed by caries. He lingered 177 days, and was reduced to a skeleton.

The other case was that of a young man, who had been for a considerable time in the colony, and had worked very hard. In the course of his work he met with a violent wrench of the spine, several months previous to his admission. Shortly before this he perceived a swelling in the upper part of the right thigh, which increased so much as to prevent his following his employment. After vainly endeavouring to disperse this swelling by local and constitutional treatment, it was opened with the knife, and during many days an overwhelming discharge of matter continued, and ultimately exhausted the patient. The spinal column was found diseased in the upper part of the back, several of the vertibræ being carious, and purulent matter having collected in the left pleura and excited inflammation in the left lung.

CEREBRAL.—Under the heading of Cerebral Diseases is recorded the death of a lad aged nine years, who had been the subject of St. Vitus’s dance for a long period, and after a few days’ treatment as an out-patient, was admitted into hospital on April 12th. He was greatly emaciated, and sank on the following day. Extensive serous effusion and ramollissement of the brain were found after death.

The other fatal case occurred in an elderly man, who had been hemiplegic for a considerable time, and died suddenly while sitting in bed eating his dinner. A large amount of serum was found effused in and upon the brain; the spinal cord also dropsical, and the heart was fatty.

DELIRIUM TREMENS.—Five out of 31 cases of delirium tremens proved fatal, the subjects being exhausted inebriates, who had had several attacks before, and whose brain had become hydrocephalic. The combined stimulant and narcotic treatment was pursued.

PNEUMONIA AND PLEURISY.—Seven deaths occurred from inflammation of the lungs and their investing membrane. One of these died an hour after admission, another eight hours, and a third in three days. The rest were more protracted.

PHTHISIS.—Seventeen out of 45 consumptive patients died. These did not pre-