investigations, an X-ray of the chest and any other special investigations which may be considered necessary. Specialist advice is available from the Government clinical units. The work of the year is summarized at Table 41.
TABLE 41
WORK OF THE MEDICAL. EXAMINATION Board 1961-62
Toral
1962 1961 1962
DOM 9,007 3,815
Government »tppointments
1961 1962
Auxiliary Defence Unity 1962
MixcelfammoTES
New examinations .. Re-examinations
5.776 6.725
3.371 3,773
2.016 1.984 3.547 3,091
1967
113
32
!
7.150 6,835
Annual total
9.347 10.498
5,663 5.065
147
107
15.157 15,670
423. Of the persons referred for a specialist opinion the great majority are suffering from abnormalities of the respiratory system. Pulmonary tuberculosis accounted for the rejection of 84% of all persons found as unfit for service as against 88.7% in 1961, The analysis of the causes of rejection is given in Table 42.
TABLE 42
UNFITNESS BY CAUSES 1961-62
(per 1.000 Lotal examination)
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
1967 50.60
7962
44.29
Diseases of the Respiratory System (excluding
Tuberculosia)
1.84
hr
6.76
Diseases of the Circulatory System
1.32
2.11
Diseases of the Alimentary System
0.33
0.38
Diseases of the Skeletal System
0.13
0.06
Diseases of the Genito-urinary System
0.53
0.19
Diseases of the Nervous System
0.59
0.45
Diseases of the Endocrine System
0.20
0.19
Discases of the Eye
0.53
0.51
Diseases of the Skin
0.26
2.68
I
Miscellaneous discases
0.13
0.19
Topl
57.47
57.81
424. The Board also undertakes the immunization of candidates appointed to posts which carry special risks. Immunization procedures consist of tuberculin testing and Schick testing, followed by B.C.G. or diphtheria toxoid vaccination as required, and T.A.B. inoculations,
94
HOSPITAL MAINTENANCE AND SUPPLY
425. This function is the responsibility of the Chief Hospital Secre- tary, assisted by a staff of Senior Hospital Secretaries, Hospital Secre- taries and Assistant Hospital Secretaries. There are two group Hospital Secretaries, one at the Queen Mary Hospital and the other at Kowloon Hospital, who are responsible for the routine supply and lay administra- tion of the medical institutions on their respective sides of the harbour. In addition, one Hospital Secretary was working in the Planning Unit at Headquarters and another was stationed at the Castle Peak Hospital, Assistant Hospital Secretaries are posted to major institutions within the two main groups.
426. The function of this branch is the maintenance of the routine administralive work in the hospitals and clinics. This includes the supply of fuel, rations and medical and surgical equipment, the maintenance of equipment and furniture, the recruitment and discipline of all male menial staff, the maintenance of transport and the initiation of repair work to the fabric of buildings. The Chief Hospital Secretary is also the Departmental Welfare Officer and the U.N.L.C.E.F. Liaison Officer.
427. A Hospital Services Section, which was formed during the previous year, is responsible for the day-to-day running and maintenance of the steam and engineering services in the major institutions, and is under the control of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Branch of the Public Works Department. Electronic equipment has again been maintained most efficiently by the staff of the Telecommunications Division of the Postmaster General's Department and grateful acknowl- edgement is made of the valuable assistance given by these two Depart-
JTKnts.
Staff Welfare
428. The Medical and Health Department Staff Welfare Association, with its branches in the Kowloon and Castle Peak Hospitals, provides staff recreation centres in the three large institutions of the Department. The Association continued to support a number of welfare schemes to aid the families of members or of pensioners.
429. Staff relations continued to be good and there were very few cases requiring disciplinary action in relation to the size of the staff concerned.
95