36
14. Bacteriological analysis of Water:
Unfiltered raw water
Filtered raw water
Filtered and chlorinated water from service taps.
Total
16. Bacteriological analysis of Milk;
Ten analyses were performed.
16. Bacteriological analysis of Ice-cream ;
Three analyses were performed.
Summary of Examinations carried out in 1946.
Nature of Examination.
B. typhosum
Agglutination reuction
B. paratyphosum A.
B.
B.
*
8
59
73
37
APPENDIX A (3)
GOVERNMENT
REPORT OF
CHEMICAL LABORATORY.
The Hong Kong Government Laboratory was fortunate in recovering a consi- derable proportion of its equipment and chemicals on the re-occupation of the Colony, and has bandled a volume of work comparable with pre-war years, The Monopoly Analyst's Laboratory has not been re-established, and all the chemical investigations required by that department have been carried out in this Laboratory. A table of samples examined is given (Table 1) and this includes all work from the re-opening of the Laboratory in September, 1945, The various heads under which the work has been divided are discussed individually.
Analyses.
Table 1.
(1)
Waters & waterworks chemicals.
341
(10)
Foods & drugs
232
Total
(ii)
Beers, wines, spirits, tobacco, denaturing material, duttable com-
modities etc., from Imports & Exports Department..
1816
(iv)
Unknown or recaptured material.
07
(V)
Chemico-legal
190
249
(vi)
Commercial
856
(vii)
(viii)
Coal from Public Works Department... Miscellaneous
42
89
08
Total
4132
Weil Felix reaction
Malaria
2,827
Spirochaetes of relapsing fever
14
(1)
Waters & Waterworks Chemicals.
Blood smears
Filaria
3
Blood count, etc.
291
Naso-pharyngeal swabs (C. diphtherise)
1,260
Spinal fluid (meningococcus) ...............**,
183
Cultural
Faeces (typhosum, cholera, etc.)
2,446
examinations
Blood
34
Urine
95
Intestinal parasites
1,662
Faeces
Occult blood
34
Tubercle bacillus
Spata
Pus...eatme
Smear for gonococcus
Miscellaneous
examinations
Urine
Smear for M. leprae
Bacteriological examination of milk...
כן
*
Miscellaneous (y.
Rat spleen smear for P. pestis.
ice cream
water
Total
474
51
1,037
5,680
67
10
3
73
327
3,961
20,842
R. E. ALVABES, 1,9., 13. (Hongkong)
Local Assistant Pathologist.
The pre-war system of survey of the Colony water supply was instituted almost immediately. Each reservoir and filter-bed is examined once monthly, and samples from the street fountains and from taps at private houses, are regularly tested. The number of tap samples is not quite ao large as previously, owing to shortage of staff, but a regular supervision is maintained. From the chemical standpoint the quality of the Hong Kong water supply has been uniformly satisfactory. Samples from the water boats operating in the harbour are periodically cheeked for possible salt water contamination.
(1) Foods & Drugs.
Conditions have not been suitable for the normal operation of the Foods & Drugs Ordinance, but many samples have been examined for the Department of Supply, Trades & Industry, in connection with local food supply. Boutine control of the heat treatment and keeping quality of milk has been instituted.
(ii) Imports & Exports Department.
Work for this Department, previously carried out in a separate laboratory, has formed a large proportion of the samples examined. It includes the analysis of all imported dutiable commodities and locally produced wines for assessment of revenue, and of samples of dangerous drugs. The system of drawback of duty for local manufactures such as cigarettes and paint was restored as soon as possible.
(iv)
Unknown or Recaptured Material
A legacy of enemy occupation was the large quantity of variegated material, mostly unlabelled, stored in various parts of the Colony, and Departments generally. particularly that of the Custodian of Property, have made much use of the laboratory in sorting and evaluating these stores.
(v)
Chemico-Legal.
Whilst not on the scale of pre-war years, chemico-legal work has nevertheleas been considerable. A separate table (Table II) is given of these samples. and a further table (Table III) shows the number and type of the toxicological examina- tions carried out
The apparently unusual number of cases of strychnine poisoning is due to the number of exhibits in one case where this alkaloid was dispensed in mistake for quinine, with one fatality.