Average of 1859-60 1080 921 .86 705 9 13 57 8173 31.96 983 7 21 24

The admissions into hospital in British Guiana have been greatly below the previous average, and there has also been a considerable reduction in Barbadoes; while in St. Lucia and Trinidad there has been an increase. Miasmatic diseases have been more prevalent than formerly at all the stations, except British Guiana where they have amounted to only one-half of the average of the two preceding years.

At all the stations except St. Lucia, where the previous average was remarkably low, there has been a very marked decrease in the admissions by venereal.

II. JAMAICA.

1. WHITE TROOPS.

During 1861 no change took place in the force of white troops serving in this island, which consisted of a battery of the 7th Brigade Royal Artillery, the head-quarters with 6 companies of the 1st Battalion 14th Regiment, and a few non-commissioned officers of the West India Regiment. The average strength during the year was 636, out of which there were 521 admissions into

Jamaica.

Admitted.

Died.

Jamaica. hospital and 6 deaths, being in the ratio of 819 and 9.43 per thousand of the strength. No deaths occurred among the invalids sent to England. The ratio of admissions is almost identical with that of 1860, but that of the deaths is rather under half the proportion for that year.

The following Table shows the influence of the various classes of diseases in causing this sickness and mortality. The diseases will be found specified in Abstract No. XV. of Appendix :

:

This shows a very considerable reduction, both in the admissions and deaths, compared with the average of the two preceding years. It has been most marked in the admissions by diseases of the digestive and integumentary systems, in venereal, and, though to a less extent, in miasmatic diseases; and in the deaths by miasmatic and tubercular diseases, and those of the nervous system.

MIASMATIC DISEASES, when subdivided, give the following results :

There has been an increase in the prevalence of continued fevers and of diarrhoea in 1861, but a very marked diminution in ophthalmia. Although the ratio of admissions by paroxysmal fevers is below the average of the two preceding years, it is more than double that of 1860. This has arisen from the return of the Royal Artillery to Port Royal from Newcastle, where they had been stationed during the latter half of that year in consequence of the prevalence of yellow fever at Port Royal.

Of the cases of paroxysmal fevers, 25 occurred at Port Royal, 17 at Newcastle, and 3 at Up-Park Camp. Calculated on the average strength at the first two of these stations, the ratio of admissions amounts to 312 and 32 per 1000 respectively.

One death by yellow fever occurred among the white troops during the year. It was that of a sergeant of the 1st Battalion 14th Regiment, who was detached to assist in drilling the Volunteers, and died at Savannah-la-Mar.

The reduction in the amount of ophthalmia has been due, as explained in last Report, to the change of regiments-the 41st, which then returned home, having suffered from it to a great extent.

DIETIC DISEASES.-The 25 admissions in this class were all from intemperance (ebriositas). Nine of them, or in the ratio of 112 per 1,000 of the strength at that station, occurred at Port Royal; and 15 at Newcastle, or 28 per thousand of the force there. The remaining admission was at Up-Park Camp. One of the men, while under treatment at Port Royal, committed suicide by cutting his throat; but his death is, of course, reported under Class V., Order 4.

The prevalence of the other classes of diseases does not differ materially from the results of 1860, and they do not seem therefore to require special comment.

II. BLACK TROOPS.

In the beginning of 1861, the black troops in Jamaica consisted of a company of Artillery and the head-quarters of the 2nd West India Regiment. In the beginning of May, the latter were relieved by the head-quarters of the 3rd West India Regiment from Barbadoes. The average strength of these troops was 536, the admissions into hospital amounted to 678, and the deaths to 10, of which 2 occurred out of hospital. These numbers give the proportion of 1,265 admissions and 18-65 deaths per 1000 of mean strength; the former being greatly in excess of, but the latter much below, the ratios in 1860, which were 818 and 31:42 respectively.

The following Table, compiled from Abstract No. XVI. of Appendix, and from previous Reports, shows the influence of the different classes of diseases in causing this sickness and mortality :—

The great increase in the admissions has taken place chiefly in the diseases of the respiratory, digestive, and integumentary systems, and in accidents; and the reduction in the deaths, in miasmatic diseases and those of the nervous and respiratory systems.

MIASMATIC DISEASES.-The subordinate groups of this class give the following results :

Order.

This Table shows a considerable reduction in paroxysmal, but an increase Jamaica. in continued fevers. All the other groups have been more prevalent than formerly, except ophthalmia, which has been slightly below the average.

Diseases of the respiratory, digestive, and integumentary systems, were much more prevalent than in the two preceding years; but the medical officers assign no probable cause for this increase.

Corporal punishment was inflicted in only one instance, being in a much lower proportion to the strength than during the previous period.

III. BAHAMAS.

The force employed in the Bahamas has consisted, as formerly, of a few men of the Royal Artillery, and the head-quarters of one of the West India Regiments. In the end of May, the 1st West India Regiment was relieved by the 2nd from Jamaica.

There were no deaths in the detachment of the Royal Artillery, consisting of ten men, nor among the European non-commissioned officers of the West India Regiment.

The average strength of the black troops during the year was 381 men, among whom there were 340 admissions into hospital and 10 deaths, being in the proportion of 892 and 26-23 per 1,000 of strength; the former was considerably above, and the latter under, the average of the two preceding years.

The following Table shows the influence of the different classes of diseases in producing sickness and mortality among the troops. The diseases occurring in 1861 will be found stated in detail in Abstract No. XVI. of Appendix.

Bahamas.

Diseases.

Class I.

1 Diathetic diseases

28

::

29

..

13

30