Physics Branch and Workshop Section
378. As in previous years the section, which is under the immediate direction of the Senior Physicist. has played an important part in the routine work of the Radiotherapy Branch, and has assisted in the train- ing of radiologists and radiographers. Its other functions consist of operating a radiation protection service for the Radiological Service and of giving advice and assistance to other Government departments in matters connected with radiation hazards and protection. The workshop scction undertakes the maintenance, repair and calibration of all the radiological and physics equipment in the Department. It produced many spare parts during the year as well as electronic instruments and other devices to improve certain radiological techniques and the working efficiency of the Radioisotope Laboratory. This section has also been testing the new radiological and physics equipment for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, prior to its installation.
Clinical Photography Service
379. This service, established in 1958, is now staffed with 2 Medical Photographers, one having been appointed towards the end of the year for training to work in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Radiological Institute. During the year, the Photographers took 458 clinical photo- graphs. produced 607 projection slides for teaching purposes, made 517 X-ray reproductions for the radiological muscum and for scientific publications for the perusal of the staff and students.
380. In addition, the senior Photographer gave demonstrations in medical photography to student radiographers and developed 1,610 radiation monitoring films for the Physics Section as part of the routine radiation protection activities.
OPHTHALMOLOGY
381. This service, which is under the direction of the Ophthalmic Specialist, maintains two full time centres with surgical facilities, one on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon. Ophthalmic teams also visit regularly on a sessional basis-clinics in urban and rural areas.
382. Owing to maintenance difficultics, the Mobile Ophthalmic Unit provided by the British Red Cross Society was finally withdrawn from service in the New Territories in December. 1962; it has since been replaced by another vehicle maintained by Government. During the year 219 eye operations were carried out by the Mobile Unit and a total of 2.143 patients treated.
383. Table 39 indicates the work of the Ophthalmic Service in 1961 and 1962:
TABLE 39
WORK OF THE OPHTHALMIC SERVICE 1961-62
New outpatient attendances
Total outpatient attendances
Operations performed
Home visits by Health Visitors Spectacles provided for children
1961
1962
76,214
83,852
204.811
236,416
4,011
4,056
3.218
3,260
2.134
1,757
384. During the year 742 persons were registered as blind; the major causes of blindness recorded in these persons were as follows:- Cataract (33%). Kerato-malacia (19%). Trachoma (11%) and Glaucoma (10%).
385. The Almoners and Health Visitors attached to this service extended their work to cover the majority of those ophthalmic sessions which are held in the more outlying rural areas.
THE PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICE
386. The Headquarters of this service is at the Central Medical Store located in the Government Stores Compound. North Point. The Chief Pharmacist is in charge of a staff of two Senior Pharmacists, nine Pharmacists and 163 Dispensers, the majority of whom are posted in a total of fifty-two hospital pharmacies and out-patient dispensaries in various parts of the Colony. The Chief Pharmacist is a member of the Pharmacy Board and is largely responsible for the enforcement of the Ordinances dealing with Dangerous Drugs, Pharmacy & Poisons, and Penicillin. Two full-time Pharmacists carry out regular inspections of manufacturing houses, retail pharmacies and the dispensaries of Govern- ment-assisted and non-Government hospitals.
387. During the year considerable assistance has been given, by members of the inspector staff, to the Police in raids on premises involved in the illegal possession of Dangerous Drugs, Antibiotics and Scheduled Poisons. The work done in 1962 is shown in Table 40.
TABLE 40
PHARMACEITICAL CONTROL. 1961-02
1907
1962
Wholesale Poisons Licences issued Authorized Sellers Licences issued
417
453
37
41
Listed Sellers Licences issued
621
640
260
315
Licences for movement of Dangerous Drugs
305
408
Premises inspected
C
2,778
2,563
Prosecutions
25
51
......
Antibiotics Permits issued
86
$7