EDUCATION
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of Chemistry included the chemistry of local plants, textile chemistry, mechanisms of organic and inorganic reactions, electro-chemistry, X-ray crystallography, nuclear chemistry, and molecular structure. The Department of Physics continued its work on the study of inshore waters of Hong Kong, using asdic equipment. Information concerning the ionosphere was obtained using satellite signals and ionosonde sounding. Measurement of the earth's magnetic field at Hong Kong was commenced using a proton precession magnetome- ter. In the Department of Zoology, research continued into the form and function of endocrine glands of Hong Kong vertebrates; the dispersal, distribution, and evolution of insect species of Pacific oceanic islands; the form and function of bird proprioceptors; the histochemistry and physiology of insect secretory activity; and the ecology of Hong Kong mammals.
In the Faculty of Medicine, members of the Anatomy Department continued studies, commenced in 1961, on the biology of the Chinese. The growth patterns and development (including sexual maturation, skeletal and dental maturation, and aspects of the evolution of subcutaneous tissues) of some 15,000 Chinese children and young adults, were in the process of biometrical analysis; it was hoped that information on the influence of local socio-economic conditions on their growth and development would emerge. In addition to this an investigation of the birth-weights of Chinese children was proceeding, in relation to the influence of climate, duration of gestation, age and height of the mothers, etc.
In the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, studies were continuing on chemotherapy in the treatment of trophoblastic disease. A method of greater sensitivity for quantitative assay of chorionic gonadotrophin was still being sought. A hormone research laboratory had been set up to study steroid secretion in abnormal pregnancy and in trophoblastic disease. The Paediatric Department continued chromosomal studies, particularly in relation to congenital heart disease, together with clinical studies on the nephrotic syn- drome in conjunction with the Department of Pathology. A new project on the study of growth and development of Chinese children in the first five years of life was planned for launching at the end of the year.
The Department of Pathology continued research on liver and biliary diseases and on various bacteriological problems including