[&]
23. These figures taken in conjunction with the rale of approximately 3 in 1 for the recorded births and deaths ausgest the possibility of there being an abnormal age distribution of the population but this must remain a conjecture until the next census is completed.
E. Causes of Death.
The following pble compiled from the annual mortality return shows deatha by age-groups for the year 1947:
Tablo 3.
Years
Valer
Females
Total
Under 24 hours
199
158
361
24 hours to 1 year
2241
4476
1 to 5 years
976
791
1767
5 to 16 years
360
200
649
15 to 26 years
561
942
893
་་ - * - སམ།
25 to 35 years eugene-*
R27
551
1978
36 to 16 yeaTE PARIS,
79%
446
1239
45 to 56 years
$90
381
971
$5 to 66 years
454
343
202
65 to 75 years
210
225
435
75 years and over Unknown Age
59
98
157
56
31
97
These figures have been illustrated in the graph included as Annes K. of this report. The age distributions found in the 1921 and 1931 censused have been shown in addition, in order to bring out the true significance of the 1947 mortality curves.
The following notes apply to particular causes of death:
(I) Acute Infectious Diseases.
(0) Cerebro-spinal meningitis (Meningococcal).
This disease is endemic in Hong Kong but in the spring of 1947 it reached epidemic proportions. A total of 666 cases were recorded during the year with a peak in Murch and April of 174 and 190 cases respectively. The epidemic had ceased by the end of May.
2.5 137 deaths were recorded giving a mortality rate of 24.2
per centum.
(b) Cholera.
26. No local cases of cholera occurred but ✪ rasee were imported, none of which died.
(c) Diphtheria.
[ 7 ]
27. There were 122 recorded cares with 62 deaths giving 1 mortality rate of 42.fi per contumi.
28. The very high death rate is due to the failure of the Chinese to bring their children to hospital until respiratory obstruction has taken place, many of the cases being treated with herbalist remedies in the earlier stages,
(d) Dysentery.
29. 158 cuses were reported with 18 deaths. 54 of these These figures probably de mest cases were Docebic dysentery. present a Ime picture of the disease as it is likely that many cases recorded as enteritis are in reality dysentery,
(e) Enteric Ber
ever.
30. 246 cases were recorded with 61 deaths, a mortality rate of 24.8 per centum,
(f) Heasles.
31. There was a small epidemic of measles in the springe A total of 160 with the peak preurring in April with 40 cases. caves were recorded during the year with 8 deaths.
(g) Smallport“.
32. 213 cases with 129 deaths occurred during the rear giving a mortality rate of 60.6 per centum.
38. These cases were the remains of the big outbreak in the Iatter part of 1946. After July no further cases were recorded.
(ii) Other Diseases.
(a) Broncho-pneumamit,
34. 2,699 deaths from broncho-pneumonia were recorded. The majority of these deatla were among infants, but taking all ages into account more deaths were attributed to this disease than to any other,
(b) Malaria.
35. 814 cases were reported with 253 deatha, It is diffeuh to obtain a true picture of this disense. Most cases occurred among the transient section of the population aml it is unlikely that the legal infertion rate is high,
(c) Ruhies.
36. Four dealbs from rabies occurred in two of which Negri bodies were found. There were five cases of animal rabies (dotes) in all of which Negri bodies were found.