Venereal Diseases Technical Assistant
1
Dressers (Charge)
2
1
Venereal Diseases Nurse
Maternity and Child Welfare Branch.
Lady Medical Officer
Chinese Lady Medical Officer
Infant Welfare Nurses
Interpreter
1
1
3
1
School Hygiene Branch.
Health Officer for Schools..
1
Chinese Medical Officers for Schools
ON LO
2
5
School Nurses
Chinese Hospital and Dispensaries Branch.
Visiting Medical Officer
Lady Visiting Medical Officer
Chinese Resident Medical Officers
Chinese Lady Medical Officers.
Stenographer
Dispensary Nurse
Midwives
1
1
3
3
1
1
4
M 20
MEDICAL DIVISION.
Clinical Branch.
Government Consultants
Senior Medical Officer..
3
00 -
1
Medical Officers
8
Chinese Medical Officers
3
House Officers
4
Nursing Staff (General).
Principal Matron:.
Matrons
3
Home Sisters
2
Tutor Sister
1
Nursing Sisters
52
Nurses (Staff)......(4 Vacant posts).
11
Nurses (Probationers) (1 Vacant post)
46
Dressers (Charge).
5
Dressers (Staff)
3
Dressers (Probationers)
20
Linen Maid
1
Nursing Staff (Mental Hospital).
Head Attendant
Assistant Attendant
Mental Nurses
1
1
3.
2
Wardmasters
Kennedy Town Hospital (Infectious Diseases).
Nurses (Staff)
Nurse (Probationer)
Dressers (Staff)
212
Dresser (Probationer)
1
Wardmaster
1
Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital.
House Medical Officer
1
Secretary
1
Matron
1.
Assistant Matron
1
Midwives
4
Pupil Midwives
12
Stewards.
Steward
1
Assistant Steward
1
Apothecary
M 21-
Pharmacy Branch.
Assistant Apothecaries
Dispensers (Charge)
Dispensers (Staff)
Dispensers (Probationers)
Radiological Branch.
3
1248 10
5
Radiologist
Radiographers
Masseuses.
1
2
2
X-Ray Sister
1
New Territories Branch.
Medical Officer
Chinese Medical Officers
1 2
Nurse (Staff).
1
Midwives
Dresser (Staff), for Travelling Dispensary
Driver
Miscellaneous.
Office Attendants, Messengers, Wardboys, Amahs,
Coolies etc., (27 Vacancies)
PRINCIPAL CHANGES IN PERSONNEL.
8
1
1
380
59. The following were the principal changes which took place during the year:-
Mr. J. H. Gelling appointed Secretary on return from leave on 22nd February and assumed duty as Secretary and Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths. Mr. T. G. Stokes, who acted as Secretary and Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths until Mr. Gelling's return from leave was transferred to Police De- partment.
Miss M. J. Wilson, Matron, Civil Hospital, acted as Princi- pal Matron until 13th January.
Miss S. I. Summerskill, Nursing Sister, acted as Matron, Civil Hospital, until 13th January and as Principal Matron from 24th February to 17th October during the absence on leave of Miss M. J. Wilson.
Mrs. B. E. Elliott, Nursing Sister, acted as Matron, Civil Hospital, from 24th February to 17th October.
Miss S. F. Sutton, Home Sister, acted as Matron, Kowloon Hospital, during the absence on leave of Miss J. A. Davis from 5th May.
M 22
Miss A. M. Cullinan, Nursing Sister, acted as Home Sister, Kowloon Hospital, from 5th May.
Miss F. A. Cranfield, Nursing Sister, acted as Matron, Victoria Hospital from 24th September to 15th December.
Dr. G. W. Pope returned from leave on 1st November and resumed duty as Medical Officer of Health. Dr. J. M. Gray acted as Medical Officer of Health during Dr. Pope's absence from 27th January to 31st October.
Dr. A. V. Greaves returned from leave on 9th November and resumed duty as Bacteriologist. Dr. R. S. Begbie acted as Bacteriologist during Dr. Greaves' absence from 31st January to 8th November.
Mr. L. J. Morley, Assistant Apothecary, acted as Apothe- cary from 6th April during Mr. Cable's absence on leave.
Mr. A. Jackson returned from leave on 12th August and resumed duty as Assistant Analyst and acted as Analyst from 6th October during the absence on leave of Mr. V. C. Branson.
APPOINTMENTS.
Name of Officer.
Designation.
Date of assumption of duty.
Miss K. N. Graveson Mr. J. I. Barnes
Mr. J. G. Robertson Dr. (Miss) Fau Choi Chue
Mr. J. H. Gelling Dr. G. M. Hargreaves Dr. (Mrs.) G. R. Nash Dr. (Mrs.) L. O. Hunter
Dr. G. I. Shaw
Assistant Apothecary Secretary, Tsan Yuk
Hospital
1. 1.34
1. 1.34
Asst. Radiographer Chinese Lady Medical
Officer
1. 2.34
1. 2.34
Secretary
22. 2.34
4. 4.34
1.12.34
1.12.34
13.12.34
Health Officer for Schools Lady Medical Officer Lady Visiting Medical
Officer
Medical Officer
PROMOTION.
Miss M. J. Wilson, Matron Civil Hospital, was appointed Principal Matron on 14th January.
Miss S. I. Summerskill, Nursing Sister, was appointed Matron, Civil Hospital, on 14th January.
- M 28
Miss S. F. Sutton, Nursing Sister, was appointed Home Sister, Kowloon Hospital, on 1st March.
I
Miss I. Warbrick, Nursing Sister, was appointed X-Ray Sister on 10th May.
Mrs. B. E. Elliott, Nursing Sister, was appointed Matron, Victoria Hospital on 16th December.
RESIGNATIONS OR RETIREMENTS.
Name of Officer.
Designation.
Date of Resigna- tion or re- tirement.
Miss C. S. Mackenzie
Dr. H. L. Clift
X-Ray Sister
V.M.O.C.H. & D.
Dr. (Mrs.) A. L. J. Dovey Lady. V.M.O.C.H. & D.
Miss G. Chettle
Matron, Victoria Hospital
OFFICERS ON VACATION LEAVE IN EUROPE.
Name of Officer.
Designation.
9. 5.34
30. 9.34 30.11.34 15.12.34
Date of
Date of
Departure. Return.
Mr. J. H. Gelling Prof. W. I. Gerrard Prof. R. E. Tottenham Dr. D. J. Valentine Dr. I. Newton
Secretary
Govt. Consultant
do.
16. 3.34
18. 5.34
Medical Officer
22. 2.34
3.11.34 27.12.34 8. 2.34
do.
24. 2.34
Dr. G. V. A. Griffith
do.
21. 4.34
do.
Health Officer
Dr. J. B. Mackie Dr. G. W. Pope Mr. J. Skinner Mr. R. E. Cable Mr. J. F. McGowan Miss M. J. Wilson Miss J. A. Davis
Mr. L. A. Collyer
Dr. K. H. Uttley Dr. A. V. Greaves Mr. V. C. Branson Mr. A. Jackson
Radiographer Apothecary Asst. Steward Principal Matron Matron, Kowloon Hospital Asst. Attendant,
M. Hosp. Medical Officer Bacteriologist Govt. Analyst Asst. Analyst
3. 2.34 31. 1.34 6.11.34
29. 9.34 -9.11.34
13. 8.34
2.10.34
27. 1.34
24. 2.34
.1.11.34 29.11.34
6. 4.34
10. 2.84
13.12.34
24. 2.34
18.10.34
5. 5.34
17.11.34
M 24
LIST OF ORDINANCES AFFECTING THE PUBLIC HEALTH
ENACTED DURING THE YEAR.
60. The Ordinances affecting the public health which were enacted during the year were:-
No. 21-Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance.
No. 40-Cremation Ordinance.
61. EXPENDITURE FOR 1934 AND 1933 COMPARED.
1933.
1934.
Personal Emoluments
$1,008,860.62 $1,053,087.22
OTHER CHARGES.
A.-Staff.
Conveyance Allowances
$13,219.62
$13,947.46
B.-General.
Artificial Limbs
$
Bedding and Clothing
30.00 12,963.08
$
47.00
15,787.70
Board for 5 House Officers (4 in
1933)
1,460.00
1,825.00
Board and Lodging for 6 Pupil
Midwives
576.00
480.00
Books
415.33
502.24
Bonuses to Dispensary Licentiates
and Clerks for vaccination of
Children and registration of
births
4,277.20
4,549.10
.Cleansing Materials
5,537.45
6,859.30
Dental and Other Special Treat-
ment
3,093.50
1.959.00
Expenses of Courses of Study and
attendance at Medical Con-
gresses
1,895.02
4,175.12
Fuel and Light
54,272.33
63,357.86
Grants to Protestant and Roman
Catholic Chaplains for Re-
ligious Services
1,800.00
1,800.00
Incidental Expenses
2,565:27
3,304.33
Maintenance of lunatics at Canton
7,722.16
-8,674.02
Medical Comforts
603.20
659.40
Medicines, Surgical Appliances
and Instruments....
72,549.17
77,691.01
Nursing Board Expenses
2,315.50
M 25
Rent of Premises for Dispensar-
Provisions for patients
ies, and Infant Welfare Cen-
1933.
$144,370.88
1934.
$116,907.34
tres
3,479.35
5,334.50
Transport
1,188.70
1,293.80
Treatment of Opium Addicts
560.50
1,968.00
Upkeep of Hospital Equipment...
12,428.42
13,251.05
Upkeep of X-Ray Apparatus...........
11,746.81
11,799.41
Upkeep of Travelling Dispensary.
2,366.31
929.65
Ventilation of Operating Theatre. Washing
419.60
445.55
17,462.03
15,836.46
C.-Port Health Officer's Office.
Conveyance Allowances
$ 179.03
$
218.31
Incidental Expenses, etc.
399.81
364.26
Uniforms
166.89
103.52
Expenses in connection with Fumigation and Disinfecting of shipping
32,527.28
D.-Bacteriological Institute.
Animals and Fodder
$ 6,889.90 $ 5,942.35
Anti-rabic work
373.19
Apparatus and Chemicals
1,338.37
353.58
1,291.96
Books and Journals
86.20
18.32
Conveyance Allowances
343.71
212.04
Fuel and Light
1,540.28
1,575.01
Incidental Expenses
720.40
789.33
Freparation of Vaccines, Serum,
etc.
1,571.10
1,709.70
Uniforms
240.83
232.44
E.-Mortuaries, Victoria and Kowloon.
Conveyance Allowance for Mes-
senger
Fuel and Light
Uniforms
$
18.00 $
18.00
81.33
86.09
94.50
111.90
M 26
F.-Malaria Bureau.
Anti-Malarial Field Work.............
.....
1933.
$ 1,136.84
1934. $ 1,011.92
Conveyance Allowances
1,379.42
1,686.37
Equipment
1,392.27
827.67
Incidental Expenses
290.91
162.26
Uniforms
644.81
520.11
G.-Analytical Laboratory.
Apparatus and Chemicals.
$ 3,991.84
$ 3,871.15
Books and Journals
161.69
169.24
Conveyance Allowance
180.00
180.00
Fuel and Light
807.11
797.22
Incidental Expenses
381.17
296.01
Uniforms
133.25
106.00
Total Personal Emoluments
and Other Charges
$1,409,905.40 $1,483,969.06
SPECIAL EXPENDITURE.
Electric Centrifuge
1933. $ 1,167.94
1934
Microscope for Bacteriological In-
stitute
Microscope for Training Asiatic
Sanitary Inspectors
Microscope for Venereal Diseases
689656
TO DO
Clinic
702.40
Repair and Calibration of Instru-
ments, Analytical Laboratory.
676.29
Equipment of Kowloon Hospital.
16,774.29
Lymph Grinding Machine for
Bacteriological Institute
1.923.30
Steel Cupboards
X-Ray Apparatus
650.00
1,100.00
Gestetner Duplicating Machine.....
847.40
Total Special Expenditure.... $ 4,176.19 S 21,294.99
Total Medical Department ... $1,414,081.59 $1,505,264.05
M 27
Medical Treatment
REVENUE FOR 1933 AND 1934 COMPARED.
1934.
92,388.58
1933.
94,220.96
Miscellaneous
1,180.00
405.00
Bacteriological Examination
9,346.70
6,998.50
Chemical Analyses
43,107.50
32,893.75
Bills of Health
11,070.00
9,960.00
Medical Examination of Emmig-
rants
89,531.70
145,208.10
Official Certificates
2,775.00
1,295.00
Births and Deaths Registration...
9,097.48
7,811.50
Consultants Fees
5,530.00
1,427.50
Fumigation and Disinfection Fees
2,512.25
Total
$265,859.34
$300,900.18
62. EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS.
Personal Emoluments
Year.
& Other Charges.
Special Expenditure.
Total Expenditure.
Total Revenue.
1925..
548,703.64
75,537.46
624,241.10
194,547.75
1926
701,717.93
34,451.05
736,168.98
255,070.19
1927........
721,623.32
16,409.47
738,032.79
307,744.48
1928.........
808,412.61
23.37
808,475.98
306,347.62
1929........
878,058.19
17,061.08
895,119.27
299,524.51
1930.......
1931.......
1,172,791.22
1,325,353.30
51,305.06 1,224,096.28
267,887.66
52,697.76 1,378,051.06
243,256.99
1932......
1933...
1934..
1,316,575.34
1,409,905.40
1,483,969.06
6,689,20 1,323,264.54
260,164.87
Total
4,176.19 1,414,081.59 265,859,34
21,294.99 1,505,264,05 300,900.18
$10,367,110.01 $279,645.63 $10,646,755.64 $2,701,303.59
M 28
63. In drawing comparisons between the expenditure and revenue of different years it should not be forgotten that the Hong Kong dollar is based on silver and its value rises and falls with the price of that metal. Most of the European officers draw sterling salaries and the bulk of the drugs, dressings and instruments are obtained from England and paid for in sterling. With the exchange at a shilling, the number of dollars expended on sterling priced material is double what it would have been had the exchange been two shillings to the dollar.
RATIO OF EXPENDITURE ON MEDICAL AND SANITARY SERVICES TO TOTAL REVENUE FROM ALL SOURCES.
64. The total revenue of the Colony from all sources was estimated at $31,731,625.00.
65. Because of the overlapping which occurs when a work serves both a utilitarian and a sanitary service it is impossible to assess exactly the amounts which have been spent for purely medical and sanitary purposes. Including all water works and drainage works as sanitary works, the following (which include the salaries of the P.W.D. staff concerned) shows the commit- ments as laid down in the Estimates for 1934.
Expenditure by Medical Department
Sanitary Department
Public Works Department.
"
J}
11
"}
Police Department
Subsidies to Charities..
Total:-
$1,745,589.00
1,179,394.00
2,510,730.00
6,240.00
201,041.00
$5,642,994.00
66. Ratio of expenditure on Medical and Sanitary Services
to total revenue
=
5,642,994.00 33,442,695.00
=
16.87 per cent.
67. If the expenditure on Water Works be not taken into account the ratio is 13.96 per cent. As explained in paragraph 65 above these figures are approximate only.
M 29
SECTION II.
Public Health.
PART I. VITAL STATISTICS.
CIVIL POPULATION.
68. The estimated civil population for the whole of the territories under British jurisdiction at the middle of the year was 944,492, of which 923,584 or 97.8 per cent was Chinese and 20,908 or 2.21 per cent non-Chinese. The distribution was as follows:-
Urban area of Victoria:-
Europeans and Americans Other non-Chinese races Chinese
4,162
5,704
373,199
383,065
Villages of Hong Kong:-
Europeans and Americans
342
Other non-Chinese races
115
Chinese
47,059
47,516
Total for Hong Kong Island
430,581
Urban area of Kowloon including New Kowloon :--
Europeans and Americans
4,702
Other non-Chinese races
5,858
Chinese
300,550
Total for Kowloon & New Kowloon..
311,110
Junks and Sampans:-
Chinese
100,000
New Territories exclusive of New Kowloon :-
Europeans and Americans
Chinese
Total civil population
25
102,776
102,801
944,492
69. During the year 2,275,346 persons entered and 2,318,642 left the Colony by river steamer and by railroad, making a surplus of emigrants over immigrants by these routes of 43,296. Fuller details are as follows:
Arrived.
Departed.
River steamer
Railway
1,305,961
1,317,913
969,385
1,000,729
Ocean going steamers. 513,693
492,458
Total
2,789,039
2,811,100
M 30-
70. The above does not represent the total movement between Hong Kong and the neighbouring provinces for there are many who arrive and depart by junk or sampan. It is estimated that on an average some 7,000 arrive and 7,000 depart daily.
BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION,
71. The Registration of Births and Deaths Ordinance has since 1911 applied to the whole territory under British jurisdic- tion but until 1932 no action was taken to enforce it in the New Territories where registration of both births and deaths had been the exception rather than the rule.
72. As a result of the better enforcement of the law and still more as a result of the introduction of a new Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance, which did away with certain fees and penalties, the registration of births during 1934 has increased throughout the Colony, but more particularly in the New Territories where 3,564 births were registerd (3,380 in 1933).
73. Registration of births is however still far from complete and many births, especially of females, are never recorded.
74. In view of the increased numbers of births registered in the New Territories, it was decided to calculate the birth and death rates for 1934 on the population of the whole Colony and not to exclude the New Territories as heretofore.
75. Death registration in the Colony being a necessary preliminary to a permit to bury, it may be taken for granted that practically all deaths are registered. Bodies found dumped or abandoned in the streets and open spaces, are taken to the Public Mortuaries where they are examined by the Medical Officer who fills in the necessary certificates which go through the Coroners' hands to the Registrar. All certificates of deaths are scrutinized by the Medical Officer of Health.
BIRTHS.
76. The following table shows the number of births registered during the last five years:-
Chinese Non-Chinese
1930. 1931. 1932.
.10,756 378
1933.
1934.*
12,055 388
13,166 431
14,909 453
20,424
462
Total
.11,134
12,443
13,597
15,362
20,886
*Includes those from New Territories.
- M 31
DEATHS.
77. The deaths registered among the civilian poulation of the Colony (including New Kowloon and New Territories) was 19,766 giving a crude death rate of 20.93 as compared with 22.11 for the previous year (which included New Kowloon but did not include the New Territories).
Death rate per
Estimated
Year
Deaths
population
mille population
1933
Chinese
...
Non-Chinese
17,923 233
800,921
22.38
20,421
11.39
1934
Chinese
Non-Chinese
19,516 250
923,584
21.13
20,908
11.96
78. The principal diseases causing deaths were:-
Disease.
Percent-
No. of deaths.
age of total
Death rate
deaths.
per mille population.
1933 1934
Eroncho-pneumonia
3,020
15.78
3.60
3.20
Pulmonary tuberculosis...
2,179
11.02
2.71
2.31
Pneumonia
527
2.66
0.93
0.56
Bronchitis
1,923
9.73
1.98
2.04
Diarrhoea (infantile)
1,346
6.81
1,68
1.42
Diarrhoea (over one year).
870
4.40
1.02
0.92
Dysentery
189
0.96
0.23
0.20
Nephritis
638
3.23
0.72
0.67
Heart disease heart
failure
669
3.38
0.73
0.71
Beri-beri
447
2.23
0.56
0.47
Malaria
365
1.85
0.50
0.39
Notifiable Diseases :-
Smallpox.
104
0.53
0.53
0.11
Enteric
65
0.33
0.08
0.07
Diphtheria
83
0.42
· 0.10
0.09
Cerebro-spinal
meningitis
125
0.63
0.14
0.13
Cholera
Plague..
M 32
79. Death Clock showing percentage of total deaths caused by different diseases :-
15 78%
11.02%
PULMONARY
TUBERCULOSIS
BRONCHO.
PNEUMONIA
9.73%
2.66%
6.81%
4.40%
RESPIRATORY
BRONCHITIS
LOBER
PNEUMONIA
DISEASES
DIARRHOEA
(INFANTILE)
DIARRHOEA
(OVER ONE YEAR)
OTHER DISEASES
37 95%
HEART DISEASE
NEPHRITIS
BERI BERI
MALARIA DYSENTERY
3.38%
3.23%
2 23%{ 185 %/096)
Page 390Page 391
M 33
Infantile Mortality.
80. The numbers of deaths of infants under one year were :-
Chinese
Non-Chinese
7,094
23
81. If the figures for the Chinese births registered repre- sented the total births, which they do not, the infantile mortality rate for this race would be 347.34 as compared with 454.89, which was the equally incorrect rate for the previous year. Allowing that only one third of the births are registered this would still mean a very high infantile mortality figurė.
82. The mortality rate among the non-Chinese was 49.78 as compared with 88.30 in 1933.
The Dumping of the Dead.
83. The following table shows the number of unknown dead bodies found by the Police in the streets and elsewhere during the last five years:-
1930
1931 1932
1933
1934
Victoria
418
366
382
357
289
Kowloon
669
738
884
881
679
Harbour
126
115
79
47
27
Elsewhere
103
76
82
62
61
1,316
1,295 1,427 1,347
1,056
98 per cent of the bodies dumped were children the majority being infants. The number of males exceeded that of females.
VITAL STATISTICS OF EUROPEAN CIVILIAN POPULATION.
84. The Europeans and Americans resident in the Colony are estimated to number 9,216 of whom 7,121 were British. The majority of Europeans and Americans are treated by private practitioners when ill, and figures are not available for calculat- ing incidence rates.
85. There were 149 deaths among the 9,216 giving a death rate of 16.2 per mille.
M 34
86. Vital Statistics of European Officials.
Number of Europeans (excluding temporary school
mistresses)
Average number resident in the Colony
Number invalided during 1934:-
(a) when on leave at home
(b) in the Colony
Number died during 1934:-
(a) in the Colony
(b) when on leave at home
PART II.-HEALTH CONDITIONS.
985
843
2
6
8
3
1
4
GENERAL REMARKS.
87. In the absence of some general system of registration of sickness, the only sources of information available for gauging the state of the public health in this Colony are the returns relating to deaths, the notifications of infectious diseases and the records of Government and Chinese hospitals. Judging from the death returns the health of the Colony was better than that of the previous year. The crude death rate was 20.93 per mille as compared with 22.11 for 1933.
88. Respiratory diseases accounted for 39.97 per cent of the total deaths; the percentage for 1933 was 41.93. The principal diseases causing death were broncho-pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, infantile diarrhoea and diarrhoea.
89. The overcrowded houses, the expectorating habits of the people, and poverty furnish sufficient explanation for the prevalence of respiratory troubles.
MALARIA.
90. Owing to efficient drainage methods this disease has disappeared from the greater part of the urban districts. It still persists, however, in the suburbs and in the rural areas. There are parts of the New Territories where the spleen rate is as high as 41.4%.
91. Malaria not being a notifiable disease the incidence figures are unknown. The cases admitted to the Government Hospitals numbered 457 as compared to 482 in the previous year. The percentage of deaths to cases admitted was 1.31. Among the Chinese Hospitals there were 839 admissions with a case mortality rate of 18.35 per cent.
M 35
92. The cases admitted to the Government Hospitals during the last nine years are as follows:-
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
970
670
485
658
535
585
465
475
457
93. The total number of deaths attributed to this disease was 365, giving a death rate of 0.39 per mille over the whole population. The low death rate is, of course, due to the fact that the great bulk of the population residing in the drained urban area is not subject to risks of infection. If figures for local districts were available it would be found that in some areas the incidence and death rates were very considerable.
94. During the year the Malaria Bureau continued its investigations into the life history, habits and carrying powers of the local anophelines. The results obtained were both interesting and instructive.
and instructive. As in previous
As in previous years there was no obstruction from the local Chinese; on the contrary they took an interest in the proceedings and showed their eagerness to be of assistance. The Chinese Inspectors have shown ability and zeal.
95. The Bureau co-operated fully with the Military Authorities and with the Public Works Department. A full account of the activities of the Bureau will be found in Appendix "B".
OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
96. During the year there were reported 153 cases of small- pox, 246 cases of cerebro-spinal fever, 162 cases of diphtheria and 212 cases of enteric. There were no cholera cases.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
97. This disease continues to rank second to broncho- pneumonia as the principal cause of death. It is probable that some of the cases of the latter were of tuberculous origin.
98. The total number of deaths was 2,179; that for 1933 was 2,225. The death rate per mille was 2.31 as compared with 2.71 for the previous year.
99. There is need for more hospital or infirmary accommoda- tion for tuberculosis patients, especially for those of the poorer classes.
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Smallpox.
100. Every year in the cold season this disease manifests itself in outbreaks which are sometimes sporadic, sometimes epidemic. Whatever the prevalence there is always a tendency for the morbidity rate to decline or disappear with the advent of summer. In the year under review there were 153 cases and 104 deaths. 53 cases only were treated in hospital the remainder did not come under the notice of the authorities until after death.
101. The vaccination campaign was continued and during the year 298,836 persons were vaccinated. Valuable assistance was afforded by the St. John Ambulance Brigade and by the Chinese Public Dispensaries. Both bodies engaged in active propaganda and through their efforts many were persuaded who otherwise would have kept aloof. The various sections of the Brigade again carried out street vaccination with excellent results.
102. The Chinese have a preference for vaccination in the spring as being the auspicious season, and for a month or two after Chinese New Year the Chinese Public Dispensaries are crowded with children waiting to be done.
103. The majority of Chinese still hold the opinion that the herbalist treatment of smallpox gives better results than the methods adopted by practitioners qualified in Western medicine. An analysis of the statistics of (a) the Tung Wah Infectious Diseases Hospital where only herbalist treatment is carried out, and (b) the Government Infectious Diseases Hospital where western treatment only is provided shows that this view is not correct. Calculating on the figures for the last 25 years the case death rate at the Tung Wah was 47.9 per cent while that at the Government institution was 15.25 per cent.
Plague.
104. For the last five years no cases of plague have been reported in Hong Kong. The disappearance of this disease not only from this Colony but from the greater part of China and its decline throughout the world are due to factors which are not understood.
105. Systematic rat-catching and periodical cleansing of houses were carried out throughout the year. The total number of rats collected was 175,687 of which 21,976 were taken alive, as compared with 174,272 and 17,088 in 1933. The number collected each year shows that there is no diminution in the rat population. All the rats collected were sent to the Public Mortuary for examination. None was found infected.
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Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
106. The following table shows the monthly incidence of this disease for the last 5 years:-
Month.
1930 1931 1932 1933
1934
January, February, March,
April,
May,
June,
July,