268
There were 4 deaths as compared with 5 in 1903 and 2 in 1902. Of these, 2 occurred amongst the European section, 1 amongst the Indian, and I amongst the Chinese. The causes of death were Chronic Bright's (European), pernicious anemia (Indian), phthisis (Chinese), and cerebral hemorrhage (European).
There were 21 cases of invaliding-2 Europeans, 8 Indians, and 11 Chinese- the reasons for invaliding being chronic dysentery (1), cirrhosis of liver (1), chronic rheumatism (3), phthisis (3), paresis (1), anemia (2), beri-beri (6), cardiac disease (2), dementia following heal injury (1), debility (1).
Malaria.-One hundred and seven adinissions as against 167 in 1903 or 11.55 per cent. of the force were attacked as against 18.13 per cent. The European section suffered to the extent of 7.87 per cent., the Indian 20 per cent, and the Chinese 5.73 per cent.
These figures show a marked decrease and it may be interesting to note that this decrease has been steadily maintained for the last five years.
The percent. ages are as follows:-1900=45.03, 1901=44.69, 1902–19.97, 1903–18.13, and 1904-11.55.
None of the Europeans were in more than once for this illness. Of the Indians 2.8 per cent. had two attacks, 0.28 per cent, three, and 0.28 per cent. four attacks. Three Chinese (0.66 per cent.) had two admittances, and 2 (0.44 per cent.) had three.
The question of relapse in malaria is an interesting one but not easy to settle in the tropics as it is impossible to eleminate the chances of a fresh infection. in any particular case and one's theories regarding the subject can only be specu- lative. Apart from "crescents" which do not occur in all cases and which sooner or later die out, no latent form has been discovered post mortem to account for the relapse. The fact that out of 127 Europeans none have been in more than once is worth noting. The bulk of the repeat cases (11 out of 17) were from the same station and only 6 came from different stations. Thirteen came in each time with the same form of malaria, and 4 with different forms. The Indian with four attacks came in first with malignant, next with simple tertian, again with malignant, and finally with simple tertian, at intervals of almost exactly a month. The other three with different forms of malaria had first malignant attacks follow- ed by simple tertian and quartan respectively. These 4 cases must be eliminated from the list of "relapses as the disease breeds true so that the number is small out of such a large force. Only 6 cases showed crescents in their blood on admission and of these only 2 were in twice at intervals of a month and two months respectively.
19
The following Table gives the admissions compared to strength for the more important stations of the New Territory for the past four years:
1901.
1902. 1903.
1904.
Sha Tau Kok,................ Ping Shan,
30.7
15.38
A
13.3
64.2
7.1
45.45
13.3
Sai Kung,.
282
16.6
16.6
50.0
San Tin
25.0
10.0
...
Tai Po,
70.0
50.0
+
33.3
27.2
Tai 0).
10.0
10.0
1.1
10.0
Sha Tin,
25.0
12.5
33.3
Au Tau,
121.4
7.6
61 5
50.0
Sheung Shui,
63.6
20.0
90
Tin.
This shows a decrease in all stations but three-Sai Kung, San Tin and Sha
The average number of days spent by each man in hospital for this disease was 5.7 against 7.9 last year.
Phthisis.-Four cases were under treatment as against 13 last year. One died and the others were invalide !. Two cases occurred amongst the Indians, and 2 amongst the Chinese.
Dysentery. Twenty-eight cases were under treatment as against 13, a large
Of these, 8 were Europeans, 18 Indians, and 2 Chinese.
increase.
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