1936-10-07 — Page 19

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1936.

·

News About YOU And The Colony You Live In

OUR GREATEST SCOURGE INCREASES

|

H.K. HEALTH Tuberculosis Death KOWLOON WILL Hospital

NOT SO GOOD IN 1935

-DR. WELLINGTON

"In the absence of sonic general

system of registration of nickuran, the only sourers of information

Rate Doubles

In Two Decades

avaliable for caught the state of HONGKONG'S greatest scourge-tuberculosis-is on

public health lu Mis Colony are the reinros relating to deaths, the notifications of Infectious dis- enses and the records of Govern- ment and Chinese hospitais," alates the Director of Medical Services. Dr. A. R. Wellligton.

"Judging from the death TP- turns, the health of the Colony was not quite so good (in 1935) is that of the previous year,

"The crude death rate was 22.00 per mile, as compared with 20/03 in 1931."

1,000 People To The Acre In Hongkong

OVERCROWDING IS SERIOUS PROBLEM

the increase.

Despite efforts of local Health authorities to combat the disease, it is still claiming a record toll of life.

With the exception of 1928, in which year over 30 per cent, of the deaths recorded in the Colony were caused by the fatal disease, last year's figures are the highest ever recorded in Hongkong.

At least 2.237 persons, representing 10.10 per cent, of the total

SOON BEAT ISLAND

Kowloon is growing at such a rapid pace that it will exec ed Victoria In population withi Jow years.

This forrest was made by the Director of Medical Services, D A. R. Wellington, J his Annual. Report. tabled In Legislative Council this afternoon.

The Report shows that, during the inter-census period 1921-1931, the population of Kowloon in- creased by 113.06 per cent. It is. still rapidly growing.

Million

deaths in 1935, succumbed to tuberculosis, The figure is probably Population

higher, as cases of broncho-pneumonia are frequently of tuberculous origin.

Mortality dures supplied in An Of these, 5.219 were Chinese. nual Reports of the Medical Depart- Majority of the examinations were of ment (the 1935 Ertition of which was teniales, but in seventeen cases thr tabled in

decomposition.

For-H.K. Soon

Legistative Council this sex was unknown owing to STATISTICS compiled by

afternoon) disclose that during the past two decades there has been a hundred per cent. Increase In the figures for tuberculosis.

This alarming state of affairs is due almost entirely to overcrowding in the slum areas, the expectorating habits of the people, and poverty.

Respiratory diseases last year nes counted for exactly 30 per cent. of the total ditenres, from all causes, in Hongkong.

The

E question of overcrowding TH

Bronchopneumoniu, and slum areas in Hongkong receives serious consideration in the Annual Report of the Director of Medical and Sanitary Services, which wns Inid on the table af Legislative Council this afternoon.

The maintenance of satis fictory standard of sanitation under such conditions (as exist) is a most, diffleult problem, und one that cannot be solved without the willing co-operation of the people," Dr. Wellington states in his Report.

"One thing is certain. So long as buildings are overcrowded and In- external sanitary, no amount of sanitation will give immunity from disease."

"Year by year, the Sanitary De. partment and the Building Authority made efforts to Improve the situation with a considerable amount of que- cess both ns regards palliative and radical treatment.

The tank, ainest sisyphean in liself, was rendered more difficult by paucity of water and by op-

put forward position

both by property owners and by occupiers. "A Commission on Övercrowding is at present enquiring Into the situa- tion in the hope of Onding some practical scheme which will offer a solution of the problem. There is no room for lateral expansion, and „accommodation for those detoured during a reconstruction scheine would' be difficult to find."

arc

The Report reveals that in the west-central and western districts of the Island of Victoria, where the bulk of the masses and ac- commodailon, there

two hundred acres where the density is at least one thousand to the nere!

There is only approximately one square mile, or one-thirtysecond part of the whole Island, available dwellings.

for

"When the population was small and the houses only one and two stories in height, the situation was not unsatisfactory," the Report states.

A total of 4,190 people died from 18.93 per cent. of the total deaths,

representing total deaths In Hongkong during 1935 were 22.133, of whom 21,913 were Chinese and 220 non- Chinese. Non-Chinese deaths show- ed a decrease of 30 compared with 1934, while Chinese deaths showed an increase of 2,397.

The death rate per thousand of population was 10.25 for non-Chinese and 23.10 for Chinese, as compared with 11.80 for non-Chinese and 21.13 for Chinese in 1934.

HIGHEST IN ORIENT

With the exception of China proper, for which no statisties are Avaliable, the death rslo

for Chinese inhabitants of Hongkong is the highest in the Far East. The statistien for various centres are:

Ceylun Cyprus F.M.S.

22.1 17.1

18.5

Hongkong

23.19

Japan

17.76

Philippines

:0

Straits

23.2

per mille

Statisties of deaths in from pulmonary tuberculosis

Hongkong

since

1,472

1.740

1,800

1,517

1.595

1923 are as follows:

1923

1924

1926

1920

1027

1020

4.411

1920

2,150

1030

1,994

1931

1,083

1932

2,012

1033

2,225

103-1 JB35

2,178

2,237

Many Chinese return tre their native towns and villages in China when too l or too old for labour. Through such exodus the death rates of the Colony are lower than they otherwise would be.

LITTLE IN TERRITORIES

It is a significant fact, quoted by the Director in his Report. that tuberculosis cases are uncommon in

the New Territories, where the

people live an open air life, Despite malaria and similor dis- elses Ant prevalent in the cities,

|

A tragic feature is thai nes all of the Chinese bodies those of children, the number of post-mortems of 5.239.

were which totalled

By far the Inrger number of these juvenile bodies came from the main land. At the Kowloon Mortuary, 2,451 of the 3,107 post-mortems were of children under the age of two years, while in Hongkong there were 1.699 children in 2,133 examinations.

Practically all of the bodies-both | adult and children-were unclaimed, On the island there were only 125 claimed bodles. Most of the un- elained infant bodies came from the tallan Convent, which sent 1,559 to

the Victoria Mortuary.

Twenty-one non-Chinese adult bodies were also examined.

Many of the Chinese bodies "dumped" in the streets or in harbour after death.

Economy Deplored

COMPLAINTS OF LACK OF FACILITIES

COMPLAINTS regarding

the lack of hospital ac commodation are contained in almost every section of the Annual Report of the Medi- cal Department, which was tabled in Legislative Council this afternoon.

Professor W. 1. Gerrard, who is in charge of the University Medical Unit at the Government

Civil Hospital, complained that the Medical Department hospital treatment of Children's Diseases was practically impos- indicate that the population sible in 1935 because of lack of of Hongkong will soon ex-accommodation. ceed the million mark.

It is anticipated that a seven- figure population will be reached by Hongkong before it reaches its centenary of existence on January 26, 1941.

to

Referring to Tuberculosis cases, Professor Gerrard aided:

"Fifty-one casca (of tuber- culosis), of which 37, were of the pulmonary type, were admitted,

"The number seeking admission have been very much greater, but our method has been to admit only early cases of the disease in whom

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there is a possibility of improving ITS CHILLY-THINK

the condition by means of pneumo- thorax.

When Hongkong was ecded Britain in R41, the only residents were a few pirate-fishermen. The total elvic population la estimated by the Medical Department at 966,341, of whom 137,043 reside on Hongkong Island, 324.007 in Kow-limited in number and many suitable I'LL WEAR MY TWEED loo and New Kowloon, 104,301 in the New Territories, and about 100,- 000 on junks and sampans.

New

The European and American popu- lation is estimated at 9,435, of whom are! 4,800 live in Kowloon and the Kowloon. Other non-Chinese races Rre estimated at 11,935. The popula- tion of Hongkong therefore com- prises 67.0 per cent. Chinese,

Last year, 1,038 such bodles were found by the Police, nearly all of them being found in Kowloon Firty-two were picked up out of the waters of the Harbour.

FRISON DEATHS Twenty-five male and three female deaths occurred in Hongkong prisons last lear. Nearly all of these were of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, which j accounted for 17.

A further three deaths occurred for a more grim reason. They were prisoners who were exccuted,

Nine male prisoners, were released on medical grounds. Six of them were lepers. One female prisoner was released on nccount of pernicious anaemia...

During 1936 3,347,473 persons entered and 3,412,020 left the Colony by steamer and by milway, making a surplus of cinigrants over Immi- grants by these routes of 43,290.

These figures, however, do not represent the total movement be- tween Hongkong and the neighbour- ing provinces of China, for there are many

who arrive and depart by constat vessels, junks and sumpans. It is estimated that on an average over 8,000 persons arrive and depart daily.

Approximately one-third of Hongkong's total population was born in the Colony. The remainder are mostly those who have come from China, attracted by the facilities offered for employment.

Need for More Health Measures in Schools

ABNORMALITIES IN PUPILS

"The teaching of hygiene in private “ernacular schools in Hong» kong leaves much to be desired.

"Most of the teachers have grown up in insanitary surroundings, and having received no training in the subject, regard it as one of little importance."

This statement was made by Dr. A. R. Wellington, Director of Medical Services, in his Anual Report, tabled in Legislative Council this afternoon.

"The beds are unfortunately very

enses cannot be treated,"

Lack of deep x-ray appliances is deplored by Professor K. H. Digby, in his Report on the work of the Surgical Unit.

"This work of radiotherapy

ZBW RADIO PROGRAMMES WILL BE FOUND

ON PAGE 5

is

greally limited by the absence of any deep x-ray apparatus," he stoled.

"To treat malignant growth wild radium without deep x-rays is like going into battle with bayonets but no bullets,"

The Surgical Unit relied last year upon the loan by the Trustees of the Matilda Hospital of that institution's radium needles.

X-RAY PLANT NEEDED

The Director of Medical Services, Dr. A. R. Wellington, states:

"On both sides of the harbour there is need for more extensive and „more.......... appropriate...tccommodation, both for X-Ray work, for massage and for electro-therapy.

"The new Queen Mary Hospital, will provide the necessary accom- | modation on the Island,

"A new block at Kowloon Is

urgently required.

or

T. B. PATIENTS

"There is need for more hospital infirmary accommodation for tuberculosis patients, especially for those of the poorer classes.

SUIT.

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It is a startling fact that in the DX456 whole of Hongkong there are only 337 beds available in hospitals for

Dr. Wellington added that the few teachers who are sympathetic towards the teaching of hygiene are handicapped by the fact that the school premises do not demonstrate the princi-maternity cases, both European and DX575 ples of hygiene.

"Where pupils are crowded to-

"As the population Increased the most parts of the New Teritories are gether in badly lighted and badly) houses were heightened to four and much healthier than Kowloon five stories without any correspond- | Vietoria.

or

ventilated rooms, where the only ing widening of the spaces separating As compared with the average latrine accommodation is a commode them, and overcrowding, with its death rate of 23.19 per mile for the kitchen drain is used as a urinal by in a small kitchen, and where the attendant evils, made its appearance. Colony, the death rate at Ping Shan

is only 19.00 per mile, at Au Tau both teachers and pupils, the at- "Year by year the population has 21.25 per mille, at Lok Ma Chaumosphere can hardly be considered continued to Increase, Immigration being necelerated by unrest in China. 15.99 per mile, ut Sheng Shui, 17.439 favourable for the teaching of The great majority of immigrants per mille; at Tnipo, 21.28 per mille hygiene." he added.

were ignorant working people with a small wage earning capacity, ac- customed to poverty, overcrowding and insanitary conditions.

"The traditional beliefs of the un- educated Chinese ns to the cause of diseases, the means of spread and the factors which affect its course

and at Shatin, 23.93 per mille,

The two healthfest parts of the Colony for Chinese are apparently Cheung Chau Exinn, where the death rate is only 15.44 per mille, and Sha Tau Kok, where the death rate is 13.08 per mille.

EUROPEAN RESIDENTS European residents of Hongkong are so ut variance with modern have a for better chance of reaching teaching that there is little chance old age than Chinese. of promoting voluntary co-operation Among the 9.435 European and

Owing to inek of staff, physical examination of last year pupils at- tending schools was confined to 13 Government schools and three pri- vate schools. The primary verrin- cular schools, containing 50,000 pu- pils, were left more touched.

or less un-

Chinese,

LOCAL HOSPITAL

REVEALATIONS:

MEDICO'S ATTACK

“UNWORTHY TO BE CALLED

A HOSPITAL'

"

A. remarkable attack upon the conditions existing at the Tung Wah Smallpox Hospital was made by Dr. A. R. Wellington, Direc- tor of Medical Services, in his Annual Report, tabled in Legislative Council this afternoon.

"It is here, though, that the need for health measures is most urgent: for by the time these pupils have school are and reached secondary between, them and the authorities in American residents (of whom 7,200

ne under the eye of the medical and are British) there were only 123 which perhaps might have been

officer their the matter of the prevention

physical abnormalities,

"There can be no doubt that conditions at this so called hospital control of disease until they can be deaths last year, giving a death rate rectifed if seen and treated suf- are most unsatisfactory, both from the point of view of the public brought to understand the true of 13.03 per mille, as compared with relently early, have become catab- and the patient," Dr. Wellington saya in his Report, nature of the problems and are 18.2 per mille-last year.. conscious of the usefulness of the

Many European nations, such as shed as definite health defects."

T "For some time past the hospital has been badly kept, and it is measures advocated.

Bulgaria, Spain, Portugal, and In the year under review 4,055

medical examinations were made, of now in a very dilapidated state and unworthy to be called a hospital. which 4,190 were routine inspections.

"As an institution for the segregation and treatment of the in- and 936 reinspections.

fectious sick it has outlived its usefulness and is now obsolete," The incidence of defects in need of

Dr. Wellington reveals that the attempt at nursing. treatment (excluding dental defects)

"Certain hospital clothing is pro-

The proximity of China and the

constant intercourse make it harder

higher mortality rate.

some Balkan races, have a much The mortality rate in England is case in countries further afield. The about 11 per inllle, The lowest death

to overcome prejudices than is the

nsmall-pox coses, consists of, aix wards, arranged in three two-storied blocks. There le room for sixty enser without overcrowding.

The staff conalsts of Chinese coolle as a caretaker and an Amalı? There is no resident doctor and no clerk and there are neither dressers nor nurses!

greatest hope lies in propaganda and rates in the world are in New Zealand varies with the type of school, the hospital, considered to be a herbal ivided, but the patients us often as

(3 per mille) and Australia (8.7 per average being 21 per cent, Dentalist institution, is seldom visited by not wear their own clothes. education brought to the homes

mille). through public health nurses work-

NON-CHINESE deaths

disease has a very high incidence any of the Western-trained Tung The hospital, which was erected in ing as district visitors, or Infant

There were 220 non-Chinese civil-te. welfare centres and school welfare

lan, 16 army and 10 navy deaths last from a small figure at seven years purposes it is controlled by

The incidence rate of myoplu varles Wah staff, and for all practical 1002 for the herbal treatment of ⚫ centres.

year, as follows: "Propaganda which does not British 80: American 8; French 1: of age to 38 per cent. between sixteen caretaker..

und seventeen. The incidence' 15 "There being no trained staff: arouse the Interest of the mother and German 1 Netherland 1; Norwegian

schools was 27.0 per resident, and the control being such her children has little practieai value. 1: Italian 2: Russian 1; Canadian 2: Government However, leaders of opinion in China Spanish 1: Latvian 1; Portugacac 48; cent, and most cases have been pro- as it is, there must be grave doubts and leaders of Chinese thought in Japanese 25: Indian 54; Mexican 2: vided with the necessary correction regarding the efficiency of the des

ginsses.

Infection processes aid the means Hongkong are making vigorous et Belgian 1; Hungarlon 1; Filigno 7;

Postural deformities of chest and taken to prevent dissemination of 1; forts to promote public health and Annamita 1; Swiss 1 Polish

spinc aro extremely public, welfare along lines which Malayan 4: Korean 1; Eurasian 3.

common diseases by patients, contacts and The hospital is administered by to Government formites," the Director of Medicnl the Tung Wah Committee, a body of among entrants have proved

Eight (including four British) were

schools.

Services states.

Chinese gentlemen elected annually. Occident, and the outlook is far more still-birtha. hopeful than was the case a few

5,340 POST MORTEMS

X-rays which were used as an aid "Where there are any patients re- They administer the Tung Wah Hos- years ago when Chinese thought on Post-mortem examinations were to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuber- quiring his attentions, a herbalist pital, the Tung. Wali Smallpox Hos- matters of health, was unduly away-carried out on no less than 5,340 culosis showed 27 positive in 067 from the Tung Wah visits daily and pital, the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital fed by old traditions and theories"

examined, or 2.7 per cent.

prescribes Infusions, but there to no and the Kwong Wah Hospital.

successful In

the

bodles last year.

Telephone 57032. Telephono 21279.

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