communicable disease, health education and immunization against diph- theria, smallpox, cholera and typhoid. Since 1933 the Department had maintained also a medical inspection and curative service for a limited number of participants in a contributory school health scheme. For some years this scheme had been under review and in September, 1964, it was replaced by a School Medical Service operated by private medical practitioners.
60. Tuberculin testing was carried out during the year to check the sensitivity state of pupils at various ages with the aim of identifying the most suitable age group to which the B.C.G. vaccination service could be extended as a routine. New entrants to, and pupils in Class 6 of Primary Schools and pupils in Form 5 of Secondary Schools were investigated and showed negative rates of 18.5%, 5.4% and 2.7% respectively.
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD
61. After prolonged negotiations with the private medical practi- tioners through the Chinese Medical Association, the School Medical Service commenced in September. 1964. This service is administered by the School Medical Service Board, an independent body incorporated by Ordinance and is operated by private medical practitioners. Re- muneration of the doctors is on a per capita basis and half the fees are contributed by participants: Government provides the remaining funds and, in addition, donates $1 per participant for the administrative expenses of the Board,
62. By the end of the year under review over 250 doctors were participating in the scheme, providing out-patient medical care for nearly 82,000 pupils from 485 schools.
DENTAL SERVICE
63. In past years the Dental Service had operated in two divisions. One provided dental care for government officers and dependents and limited specialized treatment for in-patients of Government hospitals, for prisoners and for small numbers of the general public; the other was a school service for the very limited number of participants in the School Health Service and this ceased in September 1964 when the School Medical Service Board commenced to function.
64. In April 1964 a two-surgery clinic incorporated in the Jockey Club Health Centre at Kwun Tong was opened, although it was not
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possible to staff it fully until January, 1965. In July a three-surgery clinic in the Jockey Club Clinic at Shau Kei Wan was completed and in August the third dental surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, provided as an ancillary to the radiotherapy unit, cume into operation.
65. In the field of dental health, fluoridation of the water supplies has been performed since 1961, while advantage is taken of major educational exhibitions to distribute information and advice on the maintenance of dental health.
66. Although no training in dentistry is undertaken in Hong Kong, a programme of overseas training is maintained by Government and during the year three scholarships were awarded to students for study in the University of Otago in New Zealand. In-service training in dental technology is available for students in Government employment and evening classes are held in the Hong Kong Technical College for technicians in private employment.
FORENSIC PATHOLOGY
67. The Forensic Pathology Service continued to work in close co- operation with the Police Department in all branches of medico-legal work and to operate the two public mortuaries.
68. Owing to the abnormal number of typhoons during the year, there was an increase in deaths due to natural disasters, a total of 84 bodies from four typhoons being received by the public mortuaries: Typhoon 'Ruby' was responsible for nearly one-half (41 deaths). In addition, disasters from the foundering of junks carrying illegal immigrants result- ed in thirteen deaths, while fires and house collapses accounted for a further nine.
69.
GOVERNMENT CHEMICAL LABORATORY
The volume of work remained at high level and covered a wide variety of analyses. The termination of the water emergency did little to alleviate the pressure, as the opening of three new water treat- ment plants and the continued search for new sources of supply were reflected in the number of water samples submitted.
70. Owing to complaints received from overseas importers of plastic toys, it was necessary to undertake an extensive survey of the industry;
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