pay to their tubercular employees. In other cases a promise from the employer to keep the job for his worker until he is. again fit to work is all that can be obtained but to the majority the possibility of prolonged sick leave with or without pay is an almost unrealisable dream. In the absence of any financial scheme to assist the tubercular household there follows the in- evitable train of plunging the already miserable family into the depths of despair, adding further to the burden of sickness and aggravating the social and environmental conditions which pre- cipitated the first case with the almost certain occurrence of further cases in the same household.
195. Fortunately it has been possible to assist such unfor- tunate cases by the provision from government sources of funds to assist families who are deprived of their sources of income by the occurrence of tuberculosis. Such assistance may be provided where it proves impossible owing to the age of the family, to help the family to help themselves by obtaining em- ployment, or other means of subsistence for a fit member of the household. In this connexion mention must be made of the excellent cooperation of the Sanitary Department who have been most helpful in not only providing employment, but in granting hawker's licences.
196. The almoner also assesses the bospital maintenance charge, if any, to be made to the patient during his stay. Only a small proportion of the general public cases are in a position to contribute to their up-keep. The maximum charge in the general wards is HK$1.50 per day, all investigation and treat- ment being included in this sum. Higher charges are levied in the special accommodation in Queen Mary Hospital-only a very small proportion of which is occupied by patients other than Government Servants or other government responsibilities.
197. Other duties of the almoner include the distribution of milk powder to cases under special treatment and to contact chil- dren, distribution of P.A.S, to out-patients, admission of children
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to the Contact Home at Shatin and all the multifarious work necessary in looking after the welfare of the tubercular house- hold.
198. Some details of the work carried out by the almoner's department are as follows:
Total number of interviews
Admissions to hospital
arranged
11,933
Government Hospitals Ruttonjee Sanatorium
483
241
111
192
$ 26
26
16
Transfers between hospitals Numbers of families granted financial assistance Average weekly grant approximately Number of patients (or relatives) placed in
employment
Hawkers' licences obtained
Milk powder issued (one pound per week per
patient)
Number of home visits
Repatriations
14,980 lbs.
728
27
199. In addition the almoner is responsible for directing the activities of the Tuberculosis Workers.
Tuberculosis Workers.
200. These workers, nine in number and in process of in- crease to 24, are responsible for maintaining contact between the clinic and the patient. They educate the patient in the simple measures possible to prevent spread of infection, en- courage the patient to keep in touch with the clinic, bring the social problems to the notice of the almoner and arrange contact examination of cases notified from all sources.
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