HEALTH
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proved effective drugs. In this way large numbers of active cases are rendered sputum negative and can live at home and remain at work without danger to others. All contacts in the family are investigated and appropriate action taken if there is active disease. Cases in need of hospital treatment for pulmonary or bone and joint tuberculosis are assessed for priority of admission as beds become available. Almoners attached to the tuberculosis service maintain social histories and operate a tuberculosis assistance fund for those in need of financial or material aid while under treat- ment. There is a staff of tuberculosis workers who undertake home visiting, health education, clinic duties, contact tracing and the investigation of the circumstances of those who default from
treatment.
Diagnostic work is carried out at four full-time Chest Clinics equipped with radiological and laboratory facilities. Treatment is available at these Chest Clinics and at twelve subsidiary centres; treatment sessions are held in the evening at the four main centres for patients who cannot attend during the day.
The total number of individuals who received continuous treat- ment during the year was 28,816 of whom 11,089 were new cases. There was a total of 2,204,058 attendances during the year.
Case finding by means of X-ray surveys is carried out by the Government. There is an annual X-ray survey of all civil servants and surveys are carried out free on request of schools, and of industrial or commercial concerns. Certain conditions regarding sick leave and re-employment of proved cases are required of employers who wish to avail themselves of the survey facilities.
Case finding by Mass Surveys amongst the general population was started in 1960 on an experimental basis, beginning in resettlement areas. The response was disappointing and the whole approach to this development is under review in the light of local conditions.
Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association. The major part of the hospital treatment for cases referred from the Government tuberculosis service is undertaken in the non-profit-making Grantham Hospital of 540 beds, where 444 beds are maintained by Government on a daily fee paying basis. Beds are also available in the Queen Mary and Lai Chi Kok Government Hospitals for cases requiring medical treatment or special investigation.