M 140
V. DEATHS FROM SPECIAL DISEASES AND LOCALLY IMPORTANT CAUSES.
(Non-notifiable)
(1) Respiratory Diseases.
Deaths (including Pulmonary Tuberculosis or Pulmonary Phthisis) from Respiratory diseases were as follows:-
a. Tubercular (Pulmonary)
Chinese
Non-Chinese
b. Non-tubercular
Chinese
Non-Chinese
Total for the year
a. Tubercular (Pulmonary) Chinese1,708 Non-Chinese23 1,731 b. Non-tubercular Chinese4,103 Non-Chinese32 4,135 Total for the year5,866There is an increase from the previous year (1927), when the Tubercular figure was 1,595; the Non-tubercular 4,239, and the total 5,834.
The mortality rate from Respiratory diseases for the Chinese estimated population, for the year 1928, was 6.05 (in 1927 it was 6.6).
These figures on Lung diseases are very alarming, and far exceed the other causes of death in the Colony, being as much as 40% of the total deaths. Moreover, they are on the increase. To put it more dramatically, nearly six thousand a year means an average 16 deaths a day from lung diseases. This does not take into consideration the many cases which, with a chronic disease, can go out of the Colony to die.
About 30% of these deaths are due to Pulmonary Tuberculosis, and the problem demands urgent and special attention by the Government, especially in respect of Housing and Over-crowding; Open Spaces and Wider Streets; Spitting in Public Places, and Smoke and Dust abatement.
Extension of the School Medical Service (re the Pretubercular Child) and early-diagnosis Centres also require further consideration. The chief aim should be Prevention: the climate and conditions in this Colony being most inimical to cure.
Of the non-tubercular Lung diseases, the following took a heavy toll of young life:-
Broncho-Pneumonia
1,651