Annual report on the Medical Department, Brunei.

  • Brunei. Medical Department.
Date:
[1933]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on the Medical Department, Brunei. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/34 (page 4)
    II.—PUBLIC HEALTH (a) General Remarks 14. The population of the State is estimated at 32,869. The death rate is still high; this is particularly true of the Infantile mortality, though, in both, appreciable reductions have been recorded in 1933. 15. With the beginning of an Infant Welfare Clinic, this figure should be further reduced in future years. 16. In the main centres of population malaria is infrequent, Sub-Tertian malaria is uncommon and no case of Black water fever has been recorded in 1933. 17. Helminthic infections, particularly of Ascaris, are very common. Ankylostomiasis is much less frequent and heavy infesta¬ tions are not seen. 18. An epidemic of Bacillary dysentery occurred in one quarter of Brunei during the months of July to August. 19. This was considered to be due to the defective water supply, which has been improved. 20. In September an epidemic of Influenza occurred, causing much ill health, notably in the Labu Estate, but without any mortality. 21. Finally in November there was a wide spread epidemic of measles but, only one death was recorded. 22. Deaths are certified mostly by laymen. A record is given in Appendix III, Table V though the certifications are, in main, unreliable. (b) Mosquito-borne Diseases— 23. Malaria.—The low incidence of this disease, in the main centres of population, was maintained during the year. Five hundred and thirty-eight blood films were examined in Brunei Hospital with 71 positive for Malaria. 24. This gives a parasite index of 13.2%. In Kuala Belait, 2,653 films were examined, with a parasite index of 3.2%. 25. In Appendix IV the result of spleen examination of school children are given. For Brunei and Kuala Belait the figures are low, 4.25% and 3.03% respectively. 26. In the rural areas Malaria is much more prevalent but heavy infections are seldom seen. 27. Spleen rates show the highest incidence at Kilanas, Muara, and Sengkurong. In these areas regular Quinine therapy has been given by the Travelling dressers. 28. Other.—No other mosquito-borne diseases were seen. (c) Infectious Diseases— 29. Measles.—Twenty-one cases were reported in Brunei though many more cases occurred as the epidemic was wide spread. 30. Pneumonia.—Twenty-six cases were treated in Kuala Belait and fifteen in Brunei. 31. Pulmonary Tuberculosis.—Eighteen cases were treated in Kuala Belait and thirty-six in Brunei.