Sessional_Paper_1903 — Page 165

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It is satisfactory to find that, in spite of the persistence of Bubonic Plague, the death-rate shows a considerable reduction during the past ten years as compared with the previous decade, but there can be no question that this rate is still exceedingly high, having regard to the fact that the population is so largely composed of young adults. Much yet remains to be done in the matter of the improvement of the sanitary surroundings of the inhabitants, and every substantial step in that direction must result in a reduction in the general death-rate.

The total number of deaths among the Chinese community was 6,431 which is equal to a death- rate of 21.93 per 1,000 as compared with 23.77 per 1,000 during the previous year. It is important to note that the death-rate among Chinese women is considerably higher than among Chinese men; the total deaths of Chinese women amounted to 2,119 which gives a death-rate of 26.66 per 1,000, while the deaths among Chinese men totalled 4,291 equal to a rate of 20.06 per 1,000; in twenty-one of the deaths the sex was not recorded. The most probable explanation of this great discrepancy in the death-rates for the two sexes is that the men are more readily able to leave the Colony when sick, and it may be assumed therefore that were it not for this circumstance the general death-rate among the Chinese would be considerably higher.

The deaths registered among the non-Chinese numbered 352 of which 291 were from the Civil population, 43 from the Army, and 18 from the Navy; this is equal to a death-rate of 19.0 per 1,000.

The nationalities of the deaths were as follows:-British 112, Indian and Malay 93, Portuguese 81, Japanese 43, German 10, French 6, Russian 2, Jew 2, Spanish, Swede, and Greek one each.

The following table gives the causes of the 43 deaths occurring in the Army:-

British Soldiers.

Malarial Fever,

Bubonic Plague,

Dysentery,

Septicemia,

Heart Disease,

Hepatic Abscess,

Injuries (Accident),.

Fracture of Skull,.

Gunshot Wound of Skull,

Burns,....

British Wives and Children.

6

Malarial Fever,

2

Inanition,

1

Pemphigus,

1

1

1

3

3

1

1

Total.........

20

Indian Soldiers.

Malarial Fever,

Bubonic Plague,

Dysentery,

Cerebro-Spinal Fever............

Anaemia,

Bronchitis,

Pneumonia,

Pleurisy,

Gastritis,

Total............ 7

Indian Wives and Children.

4

Malarial Fever,

1

1

Enteritis,

1

1

1

3

1

1

1

1

Total....

14

Total.....

The eighteen deaths occurring in the China Squadron which were registered in this Colony were as follows:-

Dengue Fever,

.1

Aneurysm, (Aortic),

Cholera,

2

Suffocation (Accident),

Drowning,

Amputation of leg (Embolism),

Dysentery,

1

Pneumonia,

Fracture of Skull,

Appendicitis,

Gunshot Wound, (Suicide),

1

Nephritis, (Chronic),.

(Accident),

1

Abscess of Brain,

Heart Disease,

.1

.1

.3

.1

1

.1

N

1

1

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