lead fume from soldering processes, and explosive gases in wells. Clinical surveys were carried out into the incidence of silicosis and byssinosis in private quarries and cotton mills respectively.
81. With the opening of the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory at Kowloon Hospital in November 1965, the monitoring of a number of groups of workers has been established on a regular basis. This now includes the examination (blood and urine) of several groups of lead workers, urinalysis of fluoride workers and blood examination of radiation workers. Clinical examination of groups of workers at risk was also instituted on a regular basis during the year and this service was offered to workers handling tar. pitch and bitumen in Government service and in private industry, as well as to radiation and lead workers. A hearing conservation programme was also begun on selected groups of Marine policemen.
82. Towards the end of the period under review. Health Visitors were attached to the Casualty Departments of the major Government hospitals. This has greatly facilitated the case work involved under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance and has already proved of benefit to both injured persons and employers alike as well as to the various sections administering this work.
83. The question of consumer protection arose again following the United States of America's ban on the import of Hong Kong-made plastic drink coolers the quality of the water in which was considered suspicious. The Industrial Health Officer was appointed to liaise between the Department of Commerce and Industry on the one hand and the Chemical Laboratory and Pathological Institute of the Medical and Health Department on the other, in order to determine which samples should be submitted for chemical or bacteriological analysis and to advise on the health hazards involved.
REGISTRATION OF MEDICAL CLINICS
(See table 43)
84. Only a few new applications for registration of clinics under the Medical Clinics Ordinance of 1963 were received during the year and on 31st December, 1965, 80 clinics were registered and in charge of registered medical practitioners, and 387 clinics were registered with exemption and were for the most part in charge of unregistered doctors.
85. As on 31st December, 1965, 233 clinics had been refused registration. A total of 249 petitions to the Governor in Council appeal.
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ing against refusal of registration were lodged. Five petitions in respect of 6 clinics were allowed, the reasons being that these clinics were able to provide evidence proving their existence prior to the 5th of September of 1963 and the unregistered doctors in 4 of these clinics had been approved at the clinical interview, conducted by a Panel of Specialists.
86. Two Medical Inspectors of Clinics, appointed in December, 1964 continued throughout the year to make regular inspections of all clinics whose names appeared on the Register. In general, defects of a minor nature were remedied after advice had been given by the Medical Inspectors, but as a result of inspections and of complaints made, the Registrar found it necessary to cancel a total of 6 clinic registrations.
87. In the spring of 1965 the Police in conjunction with the Medical Inspectors started taking action to ensure that clinics in respect of which registration was refused and appeals dismissed, had closed. By 31st December, 1965, 20 persons had been convicted of taking part in the management of unregistered clinics, a total of 14 clinics being involved, and of other related offences. An Advisory Committee on Clinics, under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Dhun Ruttonize, C.B.E., J.P., was appointed in June 1965, with the following terms of reference:
'To review the operation of clinics registered (or registered with exemption) under the Medical Clinics Ordinance 1963, and, bearing in mind particularly Section 8(6) thereof, to make such recom- mendations as to changes in the law or in its administration as the public interest requires.'
88. The Committee held its first meeting on 5th July, 1965, and submitted its report and recommendations to His Excellency the Governor on 19th March, 1966. These are now under consideration by Government.
ILEALTH EDUCATION
89. A better appreciation by the Colony's population of the basic principles of personal and environmental hygiene and the prevention of disease continues to be the main health objective. A very wide field is covered by many branches of the Medical and Health Department. and the co-operation of all voluntary bodies interested in such topics is actively sought. During the year the Department co-operated in a
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