M 26
Year Cases Year Cases
1908 1,073 1919 464
1909 135 1920 138
1910 25 1921 150
1911 260 1922 1,181
1912 1,857 1923 148
1913 408 1924 0
1914 2,146 1925 0
1915 144 1926 0
1916 39 1927 0
1917 38 1928 4
1918 266 1929 2
Enteric. The number of cases reported was 207 as compared with 240 for the previous year. All the cases were sporadic and as is usual in such the source of infection could not be traced. There is no evidence that any case contracted the disease through the public water supply.
Helminthic Disease.-The hospital returns show 18 cases of ankylostomiasis, 4 cases of cestodes and 23 cases of ascaris infection. These figures are of no value in gauging the prevalence of helminthic diseases for they only represent the cases which were treated for worms alone. It is estimated that 75 per cent of adult Chinese harbour ascaris. It is probable that a considerable number have trematodes.
VITAL STATISTICS.
The registration of births and deaths is compulsory in the Colony; there is no registration in the New Territories. Births are registered at the Central Office in Victoria, at the Chinese Public Dispensaries and at the Police Stations at Aberdeen and Stanley. Deaths are registered at the Central Office, at the Kowloon Disinfecting Station and at a number of Police Stations.
Death registration being a necessary preliminary to a permit to bury it may be taken for granted that practically all deaths are registered. Bodies found 'dumped' or abandoned in the streets, and they are not a few, are taken to the Public Mortuaries where they are examined by the Medical Officer in charge who fills out the necessary certificates and forwards them to the Registrar. All certificates of death are scrutinised by the Medical Officer or Health.