M(1)50
# THE OFFICE OF THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE PORT.
## REPORT BY DR. B. H. MELLON, Health Officer of the Port.
## I. THE INSPECTION OF SHIPS ARRIVING IN PORT.
During the year 1927, the number of inward bound ocean-going vessels was 9,669, and these were all visited by the Health Officers.
Such particulars of the voyage as ports of call, dates of departure, numbers of passengers and crews and the incidence of cases of illness or death etc., were noted on the prescribed forms and attested by the master of the vessel as required under Table W, Section 22(2) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance of 1899. Of the steamers arriving 5,702 were on the British register and 3,967 on the foreign register. River steamers from Canton, Macao and West River ports, junks and small craft are not visited except in cases of sickness or death.
Ships which arrive with a corpse on board must obtain a permit in order to land it and before this is granted enquiries are made to determine the cause of death. If death occurs within twenty-four hours of a ship's arrival in port or whilst the ship is in harbour, the body is inspected and the case investigated. If the cause of death is doubtful the body is sent to a mortuary for further examination.
During the year, 162 special visits were made to ships for this purpose, 129 permits were granted and 33 bodies sent to the mortuary. Seventeen cases of leprosy were detected amongst Chinese passengers. Forty-one Chinese lunatics arrived in the Colony during the year. Bills of Health numbering 1,942 were issued.
## II. EMIGRATION.
The total number of emigrants examined was 288,745 which shows an increase of 61,320 over 1926, 157,763 over 1924, and 228,776 over 1919. Emigration from the Port of Hong Kong has increased consistently each year since 1919 and has added greatly to the work of the Port Health Service.
The great majority of the emigrants proceeded to the Straits Settlements. Table I shows the number and destinations of the emigrants. The months of March, April and May proved to be the most popular for emigration. During February the smallest number departed owing to the occurrence of the...