M 164
Typhoid is endemic and certainly not decreasing. The year 1927 was particularly bad in this respect, 308 cases being recorded. The figures are still high enough to make this disease a problem, especially among the Foreign inhabitants.
The sporadic nature of the cases occurring, make it difficult to trace any particular source of infection. Vegetables, although watered with human excreta, are usually cooked by Europeans and notices of warning are published regularly. Milk and Ice-cream come mostly from reputable Firms, carefully kept under observation. Shellfish are probably highly contaminated but seldom consumed by the Non-Chinese Community.
The water-supply is, unfortunately, not connected, in any way, with this Department. This is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs from a Public Health point of view, but regular analytical and bacteriological reports give, on the whole, a reassuring impression as regards main water as a possible source of Enteric.
'Carriers', especially among the numerous Chinese servants and in food-preparing occupations, are the most serious and probable source of infection. Open latrines, usually placed near the kitchen, and flies complete the necessary cycle.
Complete Water-Carriage Systems (properly used) and examination of Chinese cooks in European houses would lessen the incidence.
(7) Diphtheria.
The number of cases of Diphtheria notified during 1928 was 90, of which 64 were Chinese and 26 Non-Chinese.
Only four cases (Chinese) were imported.
The following table shows the monthly incidence of Diphtheria for the last ten years.
Month 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 Totals (for 10 years) January 12 10 February 7 2 7 3 2 15 12 19 14 March 12 21 12 6 11 April May June July August September 1 October 4 November 10 6 17 December 11 12 13 13 10 14 Yearly Totals 50 76 85 71 91 90 85 73 87 90 Chinese 39 42 47 56 59 63 59 51 65 64 Non-Chinese 11 34 38 15 32 27 26 22 22 26...
6 11 10 7 1 2299 10 11 5 3 7 6 10 115 S3 3 76 10 6 2 9 13 1 62 9 13 1 1 ... 14 13 30 10 21 10 30 7 12 9 6 4 4 7 3 7 6 4 64 4 4 3 7 3 7 6 4 44 4 4 3 7 3 7 6 4 4 37 3 7 3 7 6 4 4 32 7 3 7 6 4 4 34 3 7 6 4 4 50 7 6 4 4 89 6 4 4 112