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Non-Chinese (28 in 1926). tions amounted to 14.38% tered.
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The total deaths from tubercular infec- (15.27 in 1926) of the total deaths regis-
The
The deaths from Malaria numbered 635 (587 m 1926). deaths of Chinese from this cause in the City of Victoria mumbered 260 (172 in 1926) in an estimated population of 500,000 giving a death rate of 0.52 per 1000 (0.38 in 1926).
The deaths from Beriberi, which were high in 1925 again showed a decrease, being 744 (1,192 in 1926 and 1,744 in 1925), or 5.04 of the total deaths recorded (9.5 in 1926 and 11.6 in 1925).
The incidence of notifiable infectious diseases was slight, the total number being 612 of which 72 were imported. Of the local cases 266 were Typhoid and Paratyphoid. For the fourth year in succession there were no cases of Plague. The last notification of plague was on 27th September 1923 while the last ease of a plague infected rat was found on 17th September 1923. Systematic rat catching is carried out; 155,515 rats were sent to the Public mortuary for examination during 1927. None were plague infected. The routine work authorised under the bylaws for the Prevention of epidemic, endemic and contagious or infectious disease was carried out throughout the year. 87,612 floors were cleansed in Hong Kong and 48,754 in Kowloon; all premises were cleansed twice, some three times and a few four times. Systematic limewashing of all domestic premises within the areas prescribed, which are occupied by the members of more than one family, was similarly supervised as required by the bylaws on Domestic Cleanliness and Ventilation. 26,585 floors were limewashed in Hong Kong and 17,788 in Kowloon, To these two methods of ensuring a fair standard of cleanliness among the poorer classes of the community is largely owed the comparative immunity of Hong Kong from epidemic disease.
No cases of locally acquired cholera have been reported in the Colony since September 1922. There were 3 cases in 1927 all being imported.
There was a minor epidemic of smallpox during the early part of the year; the total number of cases notified being 149, of which 18 were imported. There were 126 deaths, all Chinese.
The incidence of Cerebro Spinal Fever during 1927 continued to be slight, there being 32 cases of which 2 were imported.
The total number of cases of Enteric and Paratyphoid Fevers during 1927 was 314 of which 7 were Paratyphoid. The cases of local origin amounted to 204 of Enteric and 4 of Paratyphoid among the Chinese community and 57 cases of Enteric and 1 of Paratyphoid among the Non-Chinese population. There were 28 Chinese and 12 Non-Chinese imported cases of Enteric and 5 Chinese and 1 Non- Chinese cases from the New Territory. There were 2 cases of Iaratyphoid, 1 being imported and 1 from the New Territory.
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The number of cases of Diphtheria was 87 of which 65 were Chinese and 22 Non-Chinese. Of these 2 Non-Chinese and 4 Chinese cases were imported.
There was
one case of Hydrophobia, the victim being Non.. Chinese. During the year 312 dogs were placed under observation on suspicion of being rabid and 11 carcases were sent direct to the Bacteriologist for examination. 34 dog brains were examined during the year; in 5 Negri bodies were present. These 5 cases were in Kowloon and New Territories; in Hong Kong Island it would appear a if the last outbreak was now over, as no positive case has been detected since December 1926.
GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
Civil Hospital.-This hospital consists of three blocks and con- tains 198 beds in 23 wards.
4,894 in-patients and 35,962 out patients were treated during 1927 as against 5,381 and 16,969 rospectively in 1926.
Attached to the hospital is an isolated Maternity Hospital con- taining 20 beds. 686 patients were admitted during the year (626 in 1926). Since the opening of the Maternity Block at Victoria Hospital, this hospital has been mainly used for Asiatics.
Victoria Hospital. This hospital is situated on the Peak and consists of a Main Block and a Maternity Block. The hospital was originally reserved for women and children but since the opening of the Maternity Block the accommodation in the main building was more than was required and in December it was decided to admit malo patients also.
There are 38 beds in the main building to which 323 patients were admitted, and 33 in the Maternity Block to which 63 were admitted.
The Infectious Diseases Hospital is situated on the western out- skirts of the city-it is used mainly for the treatment of Small-pox. The Hospital contains 26 beds to which 9 patients were admitted (13 in 1926).
Kowloon Hospital.-Situated on the mainland has 48 beds. patients were treated in 1927 as compared with 894 in 1926.
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