recorded for the Colony but, as in 1947, the number of infant deaths comprises over one third of all the deaths recorded. Investigations made into the causes of this high proportion of infant deaths showed that in only 2% of the cases had the child been This seen by a doctor for longer than 24 hours before death. rather unexpected finding has resulted in plans being made for a considerable reorganisation of the child health facilities which it is hoped to put into effect early in 1949.
Infectious Diseases.
Once again the Colony has been free of any major epidemics. Apart from tuberculosis the highest number of cases reported of any single disease was 311 cases of enteric fever.
Tuberculosis.
As in 1947 tuberculosis was the greatest single cause of adult mortality and morbidity. It presents a very serious menace to the health of the Colony and its control will tax the Colony's resources in men and money to the limit. An extensive programme de- signed to reduce the number of new cases arising has been started, but staff have to be trained, beds provided and clinics built before the programme gets into full swing. The Hong Kong Anti- tuberculosis Association has been very active during the year and has nearly completed the rehabilitation and staffing of the old Naval Hospital which has been put at their disposal by the Gov- ernment. It is hoped to open this hospital of 100 beds early in The possibility of research funds being made available for the production locally of B.C.G. vaccine is being explored. All these measures are, however, likely to meet with only very partial success while the many overcrowded and ill-ventilated tenement buildings exist.
1949.
In the graph opposite this page showing the number of cases reported, the minimum in August and the maximum in October were due to the fact that the X-ray plant at the Queen Mary hospital, where many cases are examined, was out of commission for August and the first half of September, and in the latter half of September and in October the accumulated cases were examined and many new cases of tuberculosis diagnosed.
Nutrition
The standard of nutrition while still capable of improvement was higher than it has been in the past. One hundred and forty deaths from beri beri were recorded as against 312 in 1947 and 7,229 in 1940, the last year before local hostilities for which figures are available. It is possible that this improved standard was due to
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