M 165
The figures for this disease (Diphtheria) keep fairly constant but show no signs of decrease at present. On an average, it is most prevalent in the Winter months; the incidence being highest in December and January, and lowest in August and September. In the cooler months, there is more overcrowding indoors and less ventilation.
Foreigners, in proportion, are as susceptible as the Natives. In some years, the Non-Chinese incidence has been relatively much higher.
Children are the chief victims and until there is a more complete School Medical Service (with regular inspection of all the schools; "following-up" of contacts, carriers, etc.) a reduction of cases cannot be expected.
(8) Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
The incidence of Cerebro-Spinal Fever during 1928 was even less than the previous year. The cases notified were 21, of which 3 only were Non-Chinese and one of these imported.
The following table shows the monthly incidence of Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis for the last ten years.
Month 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 Totals January 23 18 5 8 10 4 5 2 2 69 February 32 13 9 13 10 11 3 March 71 40 59 4 16 22 13 April 58 44 18 4 17 10 14 2 May 24 10 8 10 16 9 June 15 10 4 14 July 13 4 7 4 6 August 12 6 3 6 4 September 3 10 5 October 1 3 November 7 December 8 3 5 Yearly Totals 267 158 125 53 107 81 73 14 32 21 24 36 2O II CONTA 4 2 6 2- 3 76 97 234 174 84 71 53 36 25 21From the above table, it will be seen that this endemic disease has a definite seasonal rise and fall; the Spring months, with a maximum in March (as an almost constant occurrence); and the Autumn months, with an average minimum of cases in October.
Since 1918, when there was a serious Epidemic, the incidence has diminished and keeps below the epidemic line.