C 12
58. The number of infants under 5 years brought in to be treated show a considerable increase, 9,068 as compared with 8,396 the previous year, and exceeds the record figure in 1912 (9,043). The increase must be attributed to the prevalence of small-pox and plague during the year which in many directions increased the work of the Dispensaries, as evidenced by the following figures :-
59. 1,569 corpses were removed to hospital or mortuary as against 1,173 in 1913: 898 (as against 652) applications were received for coffins: and on 1,563 occasions (as compared with 412 only in 1913) was attendance necessary at the cleansing of infected premises.
60. Despite the severe epidemic of plague, the Plague Hospitals at East Point and Kowloon City were very little used. At Kowloon City no plague cases were admitted and only 2 ordinary cases, and similarly at East Point the only admissions were 8 ordinary cases. At the West District Hospital, however, 3 ordinary cases were treated and the number of plague cases admitted was 83 of whom 6 recovered.
61. The number of bodies considered by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to have been abandoned during the year was 714, as compared with 623 in 1913 and 760 in 1912, the monthly figures varying between 36 (in February) and 112 (in May). The percentage of these "dumpings" to the whole number of Chinese deaths was 7.7%. (Table XIX.)
Of the 714 bodies abandoned, 172 were taken to the Chinese Public Dispensaries.
The number of bodies reported by the Police as dumped during the year was 551. (Table XX.)
62. Table XVIII compiled from statistics in the Sanitary Department shows the number of death certificates issued in proportion to the total number of Chinese deaths and the number of cases in which post mortem examinations were held.
63. The percentage of cases in which the cause of death was certified has risen again from 47 in 1913 (41 in 1912) to 51 which may be considered very satisfactory in that the total number of Chinese deaths in 1914 was considerably greater than in any of the previous three years. The rise in the percentage may to some extent be put to the credit of the Chinese Public Dispensaries.
64. The particulars set out in tabular form below are of some interest as indicating the attitude of the Chinese towards plague and small-pox.
The figures may be taken as very satisfactory the percentage of both plague and small-pox cases not reported until after death
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