H.—l9b

1919. NEW ZEA L AND.

NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. HEALTH OF THE TROOPS IN NEW ZEALAND FOR THE YEAR 1918.

Laid on the Table of the /louse of Representatives by Leave.

Memorandum for the Hon. the Minister- of Defence. Department of Defence, Wellington, 22nd April, 1919. I have the honour to submit a summarized report of the health of the New Zealand Expeditionary Foroe whilst in camps in New Zealand for the year 1918. The health statistics have been worked on the estimated average annual strength. R. S. F. Henderson, Surgeon-General, Director-General of Medical Services.

NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. Health of Reinforcements foe the Year 1918. Strength. —The total number of men who have been present in the training-camps during the year 1918 equals 24,434. The average strength was 9,181. Admissions to Hospital. —The total number of admissions to hospital was 11,578, giving an admission-rate per thousand of 1,243, and a constantly-sick rate of 3681, as against 410 and 12-49 in 1917. Deaths. —There were 291 deaths from disease, of which 260 were in camp hospitals and 31 in civil institutions elsewhere. In addition there were 2 deaths from accident, of which 1 occurred out of camp, and 2 suicides, I of which occurred out of camp. The total number of deaths in and out of camps of men on the strength of the Expeditionary Force was 295, equal to a death-rate of 1207 per thousand on the total number, and 3213 on the average strength. The prevailing disease was influenza, which caused the chief mortality during the epidemic period, resulting in 262 deaths. Cerebro-spinal meningitis was the cause of 16 deaths, of which 7 were contracted during the influenza epidemic ami were complicated by influenza, and 2 died out of hospital. Pneumonia was accountable for 1. death. Health of the Gamps. —As regards the four camps, the admissions and constantly-sick rate, based on the average strength, with the number of deaths, were as follows : —-

I—H. 19b.

Camp. Average Strength. [Admissions „ ,, Constantly Constantly Q . . ' u- i Sick per f,I( ' K ' | Thousand. Deaths! n and out of Camps. dmissions. j per Thousand. Disease Aopident. Suicide 1 1 ] 1 Featherston Trcntham .. Narrow Neck Awapuni 5,674 2,744 266 396 5,674 1,000 4,931 1,797 493 1,853 360 909 148-63 26-19 165-12 60-17 18-52 45-56 8-10 20-46 17292 17 7