The Straits Settlements medical report.

  • Straits Settlements. Medical Department.
Date:
[1922]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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

    53/98 (page 51)
    APPENDIX C. PROVINCE WELLESLEY. Report by H. W. Furnivall, m.b., b.s. (Dunelm). Population.—Vital statistics for the entire Province: — Year. Population. Births. Deaths. Birth-rate p.m. Death-rate p.m. 1918 139.538 4,109 5,676 36*40 4208 1919 141,115 4,36i 3,533 30*89 25*03 1920 142,710 4,39i 3,928 3076 27*57 1921 13c .335 4,624 3,730 35*47 28'6i 1922 130,478 4,533 4,251 3474 32*58 Infantile deaths numbered 701, a ratio per mille of 154*64 for 1922, against 144/25 for 1921. Twenty-six cases of small-pox with 5 deaths occurred. There were 62 cases of chicken-pox : no deaths. Health.—Though the general death-rate and infantile mortality rate for the year showed an increase on the previous year for the whole Province, the hospital death-rates were not increased. The Health Condition of the Estates was fairly good. School Inspection.—The 49 schools in Northern and Central Districts were inspected by the Medical Officer at least once, and in certain instances revisited to supervise the treatment of the school children. In addition a dresser attended each school and carried out the treatment ordered by the Medical Officer. Work thus done showed.— Total Scholars examined ... ... ... 3,233 Percentage of sick and requiring treatment ... 25*30% Spleen incidences ... ... ... 6*13% Teeth defective ... ... ... ••• 4'33% Eye Disease ... ... ... ••• 1*33% Tonsils and (or) Adenoids ... ... ... 2*84% In connection with School Inspections the popularisation of treatment of cases of Yaws by intravenous injections of 914 was commenced towards the year’s close. Notices were distributed by Notice Servers and Penghulus, etc., anent the efficiency of this method of tieatment that it was free, not a compulsory measure, and could be carried out in the houses of patients as well as at the Out-door Dispensaries. Staff.—Dr. McVail, stationed at Butterworth supervised the Northern and Central Districts from 21st January, 1922. Dr Mason took over charge of the Southern District and resided at Sungei Bakap Hospital. Dr. H. W. Furnivall, relieved Dr. McVail in November, 22nd. I. BUTTERWORTH HOSPITAL. Report by H. W. Furnivall, m.b., b.s. (Dunelm). Work done.—(a) Sixty-six patients remained from the previous year, which with 1,246 admissions during the year gives a total of i,312 cases treated during the year as against 1,394 for 1921. I he average daily number of sick was 59*35. The number of deaths to total treated was 108, of whom 11 died within 48 hours of admission. The percentage of deaths to total treated was 8*30 as compared with 8*io for 1921.