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The Colony was free from epidemic disease during the year 1926. There were a few sporadic cases of small--pox during the first seven months of the year, the total number of cases being 49 of which only 32 were of local origin.
European Civil Service. The total number of Europeans of the Civil Service invalided was 7 or roughly .79%.
The total number of deaths of Europeans in the Civil Service was 5 a rate of .56%.
Plague and Cholera.-There were no cases of either of these diseases and the Colony must be considered very fortunate to have escaped infection with cholera which was prevalent in several of the ports with which the Colony is in communication.
Death rate. The general death rate during the year was 15.9 per mille; this figure is a very low one when it is considered that the large majority of the population live in an over-crowded Eastern city.
Malaria. Both hospital admissions and the total number of deaths from the disease show that malaria was somewhat less prevalent than during the previous year, the figures are
Hospital Admissions Deaths
1925
2460 702
1926
2259
587
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Tuberculosis. This disease is very prevalent and responsible for 15.27% of the total deaths in 1926. The prospect of being able to do much to mitigate this disease in the Colony, is not a bright one. It would necessitate a complete alteration of the mode of life and habits of the large majority of the population.
Radiology. For the first time a whole time Radiologist was appointed. Dr. C. W. McKenny returned from leave in June having spent his time in the study of Radiology and allied sciences and, having obtained his diploma (D. M. R. & E. Cam- bridge), was appointed to the post. The new Department was made much use of and its activities will be much extended when new apparatus, etc., indented for, arrives.
Kowloon Hospital. This Hospital which was open in December 1925 speedily proved to have filled an urgent need, the beds being fully occupied throughout the year.
Victoria Hospital.-The work of reconstruction at the Victoria Hospital was completed in September and the new Maternity Block which had been in use as a general hospital during reconstruction was opened to Maternity cases November 21st.
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Health of European Staff of Civil Service.-It is not possible to give any detailed report on the health of the Staff of the Civil Service as in many cases members of the Staff are attended by private practitioners.
IV. HOSPITALS, INSTITUTES, &c.
CIVIL HOSPITAL.
Dr. D. J. Valentine was the Medical Officer in charge and Dr. W. L. Paterson was Second Medical Officer. Dr. C. W. McKenny took charge from 20th July to 10th October, while the first mentioned two went on leave.
Nursing Staff-Miss. E. A. Girling was appointed Matron in succession to Miss. M. Sloan who took up the new appoint- ment of Principal Matron.
Buildings etc.-No large structural additions or alterations were made to the hospital. The new annexe to the Sisters' Quarters was completed early in the year.
The total number of admissions to the hospital (exclusive of the Maternity Block and Lunatic Asylum) was 5,381 a number which is less than the figure for the three provious years.
The daily average of patients in hospital was 192 which shows that during part of the year every available bed was occupied (198). At times a state of over-crowding existed.
All nationalities were treated at the Civil Hospital- European Women and children are not, except in special instances, treated there-they are
accommodated at the Victoria Hospital, Barker Road.
European Judians Chinese
The patients were divided as follows:-
1st Class
2nd Class
3rd Class
526
1,115
3,740
45
204
5,132
The Male numbered 4,537 and the Female 844.
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Deaths: 335 Patients died and of these 147 died within 24 hours of admission.-The death rate was 6.2% as compared with 6.16% in 1925.
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