364
Taking the two next age periods together, namely, the ages 15-25 and 25-45, the percentage of female cases on the total cases in the two groups is 27.3 which is still a high figure for females, as the number of females in the Chinese population is estimated by the last census to be about 20 to 21 per cent. for these age periods. But if the two groups are taken separately it is seen that in the younger group the percentage of female cases is much higher than in the older group, the figures being 360 per cent. for the period 15-25 and 213 for the period 25-45 years, while the percentage of females on the population for these ages is the same in both groups.
This, I think, strengthens my former suggestion that, owing to the e nditions under which they live, the female children from the age of about 5 to somewhat over 15, or the age period in which are to be found the Chinese family servant girls, are more exposed to infection than females of mature ages.
The percentage of female cases for all ages is this year 347 on the total Chinese cases, being therefore slightly higher than in 1903 when it was 33.8 per
cent.
Of the total cases over the age of 15 years, the female cases supply a percentage of 29-0 and the male cases a percentage of 710 while the female population is 23 per cent. and male 67 percentage above 15 years. Of these total cases the age period 25 to 45 years shews the highest percentage of male cases (786). As the percentage of males on the total Chinese population at the age period 25-45 is about 79, this shews that at this period females are not attacked more in propor- tion than males. It also shews the highest percentage (377) on the total cases recorded during the epidemic. This is naturally expected, as it is in this age. period that are found the young adult labourers who make up the greater part of the Chinese population of the Colony.
It will be noticed that at the two extremes-early childhood and old age- there is a tendency for the proportions of male and female cases to become more nearly equal, due doubtless to the fact that the male and female populations at such age periols are more nearly equal than at the ages of active employment.
For purposes of reference I here give a Table compiled from the Census Report of 1901 shewing the age and sex distribution of the Chinese propulation :-
Ages.
Males,
Females.
Totals.
linder 1 year.
202
165
367
1- 5 years.
5,965
6,060
12,025
5-15
"
16,974
15,672
32,646
15-25
57,326
14,470
71,796
""
25-45 45-60 over 60
89,313
24,983
114,296
""
21,040
8,798
29,838
4,338
3,284
7,622
77
Males per cent.
55
Expressed in the form of percentages the approximate proportions of males and females in each age group for the Chinese population works out as follows:-
Age Period.
Under 1 year.
Females per cent.
45
1- 5 years.
50
50
5-15
52
48
""
15-25
80
20
25-45
79
21
"1
45-60
71
29
Over 60
57
43
I think that these Tables when considered in connection with my preceding remarks under the heading age and sex distribution of plague bear out the sug- gestion that sex does amongst the Chinese population play an important part in plague incidence.
Dumping of Bodies,
Under this heading are included cases found deal in the streets, hillsides and floating in the harbour.