M 159
(i) Diseases of pregnancy.
Deaths due to diseases of pregnancy rose from seventy-six in 1938 to ninety-three in 1939. This increase is insignificant, however, for during the same period the number of births reported increased from 35,893 in 1938 to 46,675 in 1939. The puerperal mortality rate actually fell from 2.1 to 2.0 per thousand live births, a remarkably favourable figure when the general nutrition state of the mother and the standard of hygiene of the home is considered.
10. Death certification.
21. Certification of deaths still leaves much to be desired in Hong Kong. The examination of bodies at the Chinese group of hospitals is still definitely perfunctory and many of those certified have not been attended by qualified registered medical practitioners during life time and within a fortnight of death. By degrees it is hoped to improve this defect.
22. During 1939, representations had been made to Government by the department to secure that bodies of persons who had died of dangerous infectious disease and had been dumped by relatives or friends in the streets and open spaces should be cremated. This procedure should result in course of time in the complete abolition of what amounts to a somewhat serious reflection on public health administration within the Colony at the moment.
23. Some idea of the extent of this problem may be gauged by reference to the following table of post-mortem examinations carried out at the two public mortuaries by officers of this department:-
Table X.
(a) Examinations performed. Victoria. Kowloon. Total. Male 2,519 3,795 6,314 Female 2,401 2,950 5,351 Undefined 31 31 Total... 4,920 6,776 11,696(b) Under two years of age-
Table XI. Victoria. Kowloon. Total. Male 1,623 2,399 4,022 Female 1,880 2,013 3,893 Undefined 23 Total 3,503 4,435 7,938M 159
(i) Diseases of pregnancy.
Deaths due to diseases of pregnancy rose from seventy-six in 1938 to ninety- three in 1939. This increase is insignificant, however, for during the same period the number of births reported increased from 35,893 in 1938 to 46,675 in 1939. The puerperal mortality rate actually fell from 2.1 to 2.0 per thousand live births, a remarkably favourable figure when the general nutrition state of the mother and the standard of hygiene of the home is considered.
10. Death certification.
21. Certification of deaths still leaves much to be desired in Hong Kong. The examination of bodies at the Chinese group of hospitals is still definitely perfunctory and many of those certified have not been attended by qualified registered medical practitioners during life time and within a fortnight of death. By degrees it is hoped to improve this defect.
22. During 1939, representations had been made to Government by the department to secure that bodies of persons who had died of dangerous infectious disease and had been dumped by relatives or friends in the streets and open spaces should be cremated. This procedure should result in course of time in the complete abolition of what amounts to а some what serious reflection on public health administration within the Colony at the moment.
23. Some idea of the extent of this problem may be gauged by reference to the following table of post-morten examinations carried out at the two public mortuaries by officers of this department:-
Table X.
(a) Examinations performed.
Victoria.
Kowloon.
Total.
Male
2,519
3,795
6,314
Female
2,401
2,950
5,351
Undefined
31
31
Total...
4,920
6,776
11,696
(b) Under two years of age-
Male
Female
Undefined
Table XI.
Victoria.
Kowloon.
Total.
1,623
2,399
4,022
1,880
2,013
3,893
23
23
Total
3,503
4,435
7,938
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