2

   It will be noted that for admissions the rate for other ranks is tending to
become constant at a figure approaching the pre-war level while that for offi-
cers is definitely lower. The death rate for B. O. Rs. is half that of the pre-war
rate while that for officers remains variable.

   Invaliding on the other hand shows little downward tendency, a fact
probably due in part to the increased facilities for rapid transfer of serious
cases for further treatment at home and in part to the rising standards of
fitness required in our specialised modern army.

2. Officers.

   Admissions show a rise of approximately 7 per 1,000 the rate per 1,000 of
strength admitted to hospital being 428.9 during the year as compared with
421.4 in 1937.

   The principal causes of sickness were:—

TABLE No. 3.

   Malaria has reverted to the position of the principal cause of sickness.
With an increase of 24 cases and the insect borne group gives a combined figure
of 58 per 1,000.

   The dysentery-diarrhœa group is however practically the same.

   These two groups of preventable diseases cause a large proportion of
inefficiency amongst officers.

   Respiratory diseases have satisfactorily decreased. But Catarrhal
Jaundice and Appendicitis, the latter with an increase of 6 cases, continue to
form a very definite cause of sickness amongst officers. Injuries with sub-
sequent inflammation continue to take their toll.

   The death rate was 5.63 per 1,000 compared with 3.41 per 1,000 in 1937.

   The causes of deaths were injuries (other than G. S. W.) 4 cases, Pneumonia
lobar 3, G. S. Wound 1, and Acute Poliomyelitis, P. U. 0., Uræmia, Nephritis
each one case.

   The average constantly sick in hospital was 13.86 per 1,000 of strength
as compared with 13.64 in the previous year.

   527.9 per 1,000 of the strength were treated as out-patients.