445
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
138.4
177.0 125.5
84.0
42.5
whole among the Indian troops the ratios were:-
1909 64.3
1910 89.8
1911 31.8
1912 83.2
1913
83.9
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As explained in previous reports the Military figures constitute probably the most accurate test of the pro- gress of cur anti-malarial works, since they comprise that portion of the population which is under constant medical supervision; even these figures are however liable to some fluctuation, depending on the healthiness or otherwise of the last station occupied by the troops. The civilian figures are liable to far more violent fluctuations on account of the changing nature of the native population; there is a daily elband flow of nearly four thousand Chinese between Hongkong and the mainland of China, and in addition, the Colony has been liable of late to periodical inroads of large numbers of people, who have been disturbed by the political unrest prevailing in that country. During 1911 and 1912 some fifty to fifty thousand people sought refuge in Hongkong during the rebellion which led to the establish- ment of the republic, and in 1913 a further influx of a like number of persons occurred during the months of
July, August and September in consequence of renewed
political disturbances.
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That the malarial figures show so marked a reduction in
spite of these adverse circumstances is, I think, a
matter for congratulation, and were it possible to take
into account the increase of population which is the
result of these temporary incursions, the improvement
would be found to be more marked than it appears at
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