PUBLIC HEALTH
163
the collection and disposal of nightsoil from nearly 376,000 floors with dry latrines. This section employs a staff of about 1,600 male and female workers, operating at night with nine specially designed dumb barges, and sixteen specialized motor vehicles. More than 72,000 cubic yards of nightsoil were collected. Most of it was delivered by barge towed to the Tsuen Wan Maturation Station from where, after the requisite period to render it safe, it is delivered by the Vegetable Marketing Organization to New Terri- tories farmers for use as fertilizer.
NEW TERRITORIES
A post of Senior Medical Officer of Health for the New Terri- tories was created during the year. This officer is responsible for services provided by the Medical and Health Department in the New Territories which include personal health services and certain environmental health services mainly connected with the licensing of food premises.
Reference has already been made to the Government clinic and maternity home services in the New Territories. In addition there are two hospitals one of which, the Lutheran Hospital at Fanling, was built during the year, but is not yet in operation. The other is the old established Pok Oi Hospital of 50 beds, run by a Chinese charitable organization and providing medical, education and welfare services. During the year plans for the further exten- sion of the hospital by 60 beds were completed and the extension should be ready for use early in 1960.
On the environmental health side a Medical Department Health Officer and a staff of Health Inspectors seconded from the Urban Services Department to the Medical and Health Department have executive responsibilities in connexion with the licensing of premises, with the District Commissioner, New Territories, as the statutory authority. The District Administration provides cleansing and scavenging services with the Senior Medical Officer of Health and his staff acting in an advisory capacity.
In the villages, health work is mainly advisory with the em- phasis on health education and self-help. Rural committees and villagers are given advice on water supplies, drainage, sanitation and refuse disposal. Standard plans of simple and economical