Annual report on the Medical Department / Straits Settlements.

  • Straits Settlements. Medical Department
Date:
[1927]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on the Medical Department / Straits Settlements. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The overcrowding in the Chinese quarter of Singapore was the cause of the increase in deaths from Tuberculosis and Pneumonias. Deaths from bowel diseases also increased due to the dry weather. The infantile death- rate also shows an increase. General Diseases i. Bcri-bcri.—The deaths registered as due to Beri-beri in the last 17 years are: — Year Number of deaths Year Number of deaths — — — -— 1911 (Census 714,069) 2,056 1920 ... 1,025 1912 ... 1,926 1921 (Census 881,939) 1,299 1913 ... 1,657 1922 ... 1,388 1914 ... 1,483 1923 0 On 1915 ... 1,079 1924 910 1916 ... 1,075 1925 973 1917 ... 2,075 1926 ... 1,098 1918 ... 1,958 1927 ... 1,528 1919 ... 1,430 1 The estimated population for the year 1927 was 1,059,968. Food rationing leading to a decrease in the use of overmilled rice was in practice from 1918 to 1921. Indulgence in the more expensive overmilled types of rice, arising probably from increased prosperity, may be the cause of the rise in the death-rate. 2 The Pneumonias.—Deaths under this head numbered 3,353 as against 2,807 in 1926 and 2,214 in x925- Of these roughly one-third (1,172) including a number of children were classed as Bronchopneumonia, and two-thirds (2,181) as pneumonia. 3. Comni]sions.—No less than 5,784 deaths were so registered in 1927 as against 4,783 in 1926 and 3,890 in 1925. Infectious Diseases (a) There were three deaths from Plague in the Singapore Municipal Limits which is the lowest death-rate during the last decade. Four thousand one hundred and thirty-seven rats were examined during the year by the Municipal Bacteriologist, Singapore, but none were found to be infected. (b) There were 30 cases of Cholera and 16 deaths, excluding cases occurring in quarantine stations amongst passengers who had not landed. (c) SmaU-pox.—There were 117 cases of small-pox with 26 deaths. Of these Malacca accounted for 98 cases with 19 deaths. Vaccinations.—Ninety six thousand one hundred and seventy-two vaccinations and re-vaccinations were performed, as follows: — Perfect ... 42,336 Modified 4,408 Failed 886 Not seen ... 48,542 Total ... 96,172 (d) Cerebro-spinal Meningitis accounted for 19 cases with 12 deaths.
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