Medical and sanitary report / Bahamas.

  • Bahamas. Medical Department.
Date:
[1936]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: Medical and sanitary report / Bahamas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Communicable Diseases. The health of the Colony remained much the same as in former years. Upper respiratory infections such as influenzal colds were prevalent from time to time, especially during periods of cold or changeable weather. Numerous cases of mumps and measles occurred both in Nassau and in the Out Islands. The actual incidence of cases is unknown because very few cases are reported to the authorities. There has been no marked increase in the incidence of typhoid during this year. There were 20 cases with 3 deaths reported. An anticipated increase in the number of public standpipes supplying chlorinated city water, improved sani¬ tation and mass inoculation will further reduce the incidence of this disease. No para-typhoid was noted. 4247 inocula¬ tions were given. Tuberculosis is an important disease. 104 cases were admitted to the Bahamas General Hospital, with 45 deaths. The opening of a small ward for such cases marks a beginning in anti-tuberculosis work. “Sputum positive” cases are kept in this ward, thus removing foci of infection out of the community. Efforts are being continued in an attempt to isolate early cases, otherwise those suffering from this disease do not seek admission to hospital until in extremis. Malaria, dengue, smallpox and diphtheria contributed no cases during the year. The situation in regard to leprosy remains unchanged. The usual remedies were given—the results were not im¬ pressive. (d) Vital Statistics. The estimated population for the year 1936 was 66,219. The estimated increase (actual number) over 1935 was 1237. Male births in 1936.1002 Female births in 1936. 971 Total. 1973 This gives a crude birth rate of 32.9 per 1000 living.