# M 157
## 9. Causes of death.
### (a) Diseases of the respiratory system (non-tuberculous).
Deaths from bronchitis, broncho-pneumonia, and pneumonia rose from 12,057 in 1938 to 17,456 in 1939, the ratio of deaths from this group to deaths from all diseases showing an increase from 311 per 1,000 deaths from all causes.
### (b) Tuberculosis.
As in 1938, tuberculosis retained second place on the list of deaths dealing with diseases in 1939. The pulmonary variety was responsible for the large majority of these deaths. The number of deaths attributed to tuberculosis actually showed a fall from 4,920 in 1938 to 4,443 in 1939. However, it would be unwise to claim that this is any indication of any improvement in the situation. It is to be remembered that tuberculosis was made notifiable in January, 1939, and that the addition of the disease to the list of infectious diseases listed under the "Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance" empowers the health authorities to take certain measures which are not altogether popular (including terminal disinfection). Without in any way imputing ill-faith, it must be admitted that when an alternative diagnosis is perhaps possible in certain cases, such may be selected by the practitioner filling in the death certificate. It is significant that the ratio of non-tuberculous respiratory diseases rose from 311 to 361 per 1,000 deaths from all causes in 1939.
It will be noted from the subjoined table that males between twenty-five and forty-five years—the most productive years of a man's life—produced the greatest number of fatal cases of tuberculosis.
## Table IX.
Deaths from tuberculosis (all forms), 1939.
No. of deaths. Age group. Males. Females. Total. Percentage of deaths from tuberculosis at different age periods (approximate). Under 24 hours - - - 24 hours to 1 year 147 123 270 6 1 to 5 years 335 341 676 15 5 to 15 years 184 153 337 7 15 to 25 years 418 365 783 17 25 to 45 years 1,001 585 1,586 35 45 to 65 years 392 297 689 15 65 years and over 57 45 102 2 Unknown age Total 2,534 1,909 4,443M 157
9. Causes of death.
(a) Diseases of the respiratory system (non-tuberculous).
Deaths from bronchitis, broncho-pneumonia, and pneumonia rose from 12,057 in 1938 to 17,456 in 1939, the ratio of deaths from this group to deaths from all diseases showing an increase from 311 per 1,000 deaths from all causes.
(b) Tuberculosis.
As in 1938, tuberculosis retained second place on the list of deaths dealing with diseases in 1939. The pulmonary variety was responsible for the large majority of these deaths. The number of deaths attributed to tuberculosis actually showed a fall from 4,920 in 1938 to 4,443 in 1939. However, it would be unwise to claim that this is any indication of any improvement in the situation. It is to be remembered that tuberculosis was made notifiable in January, 1939, and that the addition of the disease to the list of infectious diseases listed under the "Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance" empowers the health authorities to take certain measures which are not altogether popular (including terminal disinfection). Without in any way imputing ill-faith, it must be admitted that when an alternative diagnosis is perhaps possible in certain cases, such may be selected by the practitioner filling in the death certificate. It is significant that the ratio of non-tuberculous respiratory diseases rose from 311 to 361 per 1,000 deaths from all causes in 1939.
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It will be noted from the subjoined table that males between twenty-five and forty-five years--the most productive years of a man's life-produced the greatest number of fatal cases of tuberculosis.
Table IX.
Deaths from tuberculosis (all forms), 1939.
No. of deaths.
Age group.
Males. Females. Total.
Percentage of deaths from tuberculosis at different age periods (approximate).
Under 24 hours
-
24 hours to 1 year
147
123
270
6
1 to 5 years
335
341
676
15
5 to 15 years
184
153
337
7
15 to 25 years
418
365
783
17
25 to 45 years
1,001
585
1,586
85
45 to 65 years
392
297
689
15
65 vears and over
57
45
102
2
Unknown age
Total
2,534
1,909
4,443
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