M (1) 9
IV.-GENERAL REMARKS.
The number of patients treated in all the general Hospitals with which this report deals was considerably increased during 1923.
The following figures shew this :-
1922 1923 increase Government Civil Hospital 4,447 5,455 22.66% Tung Wah Hospital... 8,336 10,478 25.57 % Kwong Wah Hospital 5,154 6,359 23.41%The following table shews the commonest diseases treated at the hospitals during the year.
Disease. No, at G. C. H. No, at Tung Wah No, at K. Wah Total Beri-beri 155 1,145 791 2,091 Malaria 647 412 581 1,640 Pulmonary tuberculosis 100 847 82 1,029 Syphilis 183 587 60 830 Influenza 291 247 45 583 Injuries 585 548 627 1,760Beri-beri.-The number of cases of this disease shewed a marked increase. In 1922 there were 1229 cases and in 1923 the number rose to 2091.
I am informed that there was an increase in the price of provisions and this must have led the poorer classes to live more than ever on an extensive rice diet, the only rice being commonly used being the white polished variety.
Malaria.-There was a further considerable increase in the number of cases of malaria, 921 cases were treated at the principal hospitals in 1922 and 1640 in 1923. Both Dr. McKenny and Dr. Moore have drawn attention to the high incidence of malaria amongst Chinese policemen recruited from Wei-hai-Wei.
Venereal disease. A statement of venereal diseases reported from various institutions is included in this report.
This shews a 42% increase in the total number of cases of syphilis. The biggest increase being at the Tung Wah Hospital and this is commented on in the part of this report dealing with that institution.
Injuries. A remarkable fact is that whilst 170 cases of fractured bones were treated at the G. C. H. during the year no less