Sessional_Paper_1903 — Page 169

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While of the non-Chinese deaths eight were between 20 and 30 years of age, one between 30 and 40 and one between 40 and 50.

SMALL-POX.

There was a small outbreak of Small-pox in the early part of the year, 57 cases being reported. Seven of these cases occurred in Europeans, of whom one died and two in "other Asiatics" both of whom recovered; two of the European cases and one "other Asiatic" were imported.

In consequence of this outbreak a notification was issued by the Government on the representation of the Sanitary Roard to the effect that persons could be vaccinated free of cost at the Government Civil Hospital, the Tung Wah Hospital, the Alice Memorial Hospital and the Nethersole Hospital while hand-bills were issued urging the Chinese to get vaccinated.

The total number of deaths from this disease during the year was 41 while in 1901 it was 59, and in 1900 it was 17.

The total number of vaccinations recorded last year was 6,475 as compared with 5,937 in 1901; 4,406 in 1900, 6,529 in 1899, and 7,051 in 1898. In my Reports for 1900 and 1901 I called attention to the considerable falling off in the number of vaccinations recorded, and in view of the rapid increase in the population the returns for last year cannot be regarded as satisfactory.

A small bonus is now paid to the Chinese House Surgeons at the Native Hospitals (Tung Wah, Alice Memorial and Nethersole) for all successful vaccinations, with a view to increasing the number of well-vaccinated persons in the Colony and thereby reducing the mortality from Small-pox.

CHOLERA.

A somewhat serious outbreak of Cholera occurred in the early part of the year, resulting in the notification of 460 cases, and I do not think there can be any doubt that the spread of the disease was encouraged by the shortage of the water-supply, with the contingent intermittent service.

Only twenty of the cases occurred in Europeans and twelve of these died, while 408 cases occurred among the Chinese with 394 deaths, and 32 among the "other Asiatics" with 27 deaths. The Japanese were heavy sufferers in proportion to their number, as 20 cases occurred among this nationality with sixteen deaths; this is no doubt explained to some extent by the fact that the Japanese are, as also the Chinese, large consumers of raw vegetables. The Board specially warned the public against the consumption of raw vegetables and of unboiled milk or unfiltered water, by repeated advertisements in the public press, during the prevalence of the epidemic, but I am afraid that such warning would have very little influence with any but the most enlightened of the Asiatic community.

DIPHTHERIA.

Twenty cases of Diphtheria were reported during the year as compared with six cases during 1901. In my report for that year I pointed out that five of these six cases had occurred during the last six weeks of the year and that the most probable cause of this was the drought, with the consequent lack of water, and the foul condition of the sewers and storm drains resulting therefrom. The conti- nuance of the drought and the inadequate flushing of the sewers has I am sure much to do with the great increase in the number of cases of this disease, which has hitherto been of rare occurrence in this Colony. Eight of the cases were Europeans and one of then died, while the total deaths numbered five

PUERPERAL FEVER.

Seven cases of Puerperal Fever were notified during the year, and five deaths were recorded from this disease-all of them among the Chinese community-while no less than 29 deaths were registered as due to Child-birth, and to morbid conditions incident to parturition as compared with 47 during the previous year. This represents a very serious loss of young adult lives and is undoubtedly due to want of proper attention, and to uncleanly surroundings.

In previous Reports for 1898, 1899, 1900, and 1901 I have called attention to the great want there is in this Colony for some maternity charity, in addition to the Maternity Hospital attached to the Government Civil Hospital, and some attempt will, I hope, be made to meet "this want when the new extension to the Tung Wah Hospital is opened.

INTERMENTS.

The following number of interments in the various Cemeteries of the Colony have been recorded during the year :--

Non-Chinese.-Colonial Cemetery,

Roman Catholic Cemetery,

Mahommedan

Jewish

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168

912

38

4

3

1125