The Straits Settlements medical report.

  • Straits Settlements. Medical Department.
Date:
[1912]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Straits Settlements medical report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    76/184 (page 72)
    APPENDIX C. PROVINCE WELLESLEY. Report by Dr. R. D. Fitzgerald, Medical Officer. 1. The health of the Province has been good throughout the year. There has been no outbreak of acute infectious diseases. 2. The registered births numbered 4,456 and deaths 3,679, as compared with 3,789 and 3,979, respectively, in 1911. The estimated population was 130,803. 3. There was a marked diminution in the death-rate due to dysentery and diarrhoea. There has been less malaria. Phthisis is increasing. A report concerning the apparent increase of Ankylostomiasis is appended. 4. The swamp at Bagan Tuan Kechil is to be filled in, and the swamp adjoining the Butterworth Hospital compound is being watched for anopheles with the view, if dangerous, of its being filled in also. 5. The work of raising the dam at Bukit Seraya has been completed. The water supply from the Bukit Pancbor Reservoir has been improved by the filling in of tributary swamps and by the scouring of the mains, but in spite of this it is still certain the water requires to be filtered, a work to be undertaken next year. 6. Efforts were made during the year to encourage the Dressers to study. An examination was held which showed considerable progress. 7. After many difficulties had been overcome the vaccinations by Gurus (native schoolmasters) was commenced at the end of the year. This scheme has been in force elsewhere in the Peninsula and already shows signs of being very useful here. This is merely additional to the old scheme and not likely to replace it. 8. Dr. Whittle was in medical charge throughout the year until I relieved him on 13th December. 9. Assistant Surgeons Dutta and SlNHA did good work at Sungai Bakap and Bukit Mertajam Hospitals. Mr. Fernandez relieved Mr. De SOUZA at Butterworth on the 14th of May. Butterworth Hospital. Buildings.—Buildings underwent lime-washing and minor repairs were carried out during the year. A large window was made in the wall of the office to afford light for microscopical work. In December the sheds of the Quarantine Camp were pulled down and the cement flooring for the new sheds was started. Staff.—Assistant Surgeon C. T. De SoUZA was transferred to the Tan Tock Seng’s Hospital, Singapore, on the 4th May, 1912; and was relieved by Assistant Surgeon P. C. FERNANDEZ. During the latter half of November Dresser Yaiiaya was put on vaccination duty and his place was taken by Dresser Samuel from Bukit Mertajam. Work done.—The following figures represent the work done during the year :— Remaining from 1911 ... 29 Admitted during 1912 ... 905 Total treated ••• 934 Average daily number of sick ... 48*76 Discharged ... ... 799 Transferred ... 2 Absconded ... ... 13 Died ... 80 Percentage of deaths to total treated Percentage of deaths to total treated excluding those ... 8-56 dying within 48 hours of admission • • • ••• 7*57