N
1. Gov. 282
225-30
Particulars of undentified dead bodies discovered in the streets and elsewhere, 1928, 57929.
X
7
1.e. the figures for births
readed
Xie, much
to
100 great be sue
are
A good deal
bea
har alueody dons. Af
عسمه
This despatch does not show as much concern
about the terrible state of poverty revealed by
these conditions as might be expected. The Sour.
seem to regard
matter solely from the point
of view of detection of foul play and (b)
avoidance of epidemics. They are also, it may be
noted, disturbed by the illegality of the practice
of abandoning dead bodies.
It appears quite clear that one factor
in the matter is the very high infantile mortality.
Accurate figures as to this are not available the
X
figures recorded show an infantile mortality of
458 per thousand.
The Medical Report merely
says that this figure is obviously much too great,
but there can be no doubt that the true rate is a
very high one. (See page 21 of the 1928 Report).
It appears likely that there is need for a very
considerable extension of maternity and child
welfare work.
I do not know whether this is a
suitable occasion upon which to raise the matter,
but it might be useful to have Dr. Stanton's
observations.
On the matter particularly dealt with in
this despatch, I do not see what further action
can be taken at present; it is merely one result
of the appalling conditions prevailing in Hong
Kong and I do not see how those conditions can
be