mately 16% of new entrants were classified as "slightly below normal" and "poor" and, at the periodical re-examinations, the percentage so classified was 17.23% as compared with 21.61% in the previous year.
120. The total number of attendances at the school clinics was 81,598, of which 55,187 were new cases, Attendances st the dental clinics numbered 32,356, and, of these, 17,539 were new cases, During the period under review there was a re- organization of the ophthalmic service provided within the framework of the School Health Service, in view of the appoint- ment of an Ophthalmic Specialist to the Medical Department. The school medical officers who formerly conducted the school eye clinics were transferred to the Ophthalmic Specialist as part of a general ophthalmic service. Nevertheless, children in the School Health Service found to be suffering from eye defects were referred to the Ophthalmic Service which conducts clinies for this purpose. The total number of altendances of children at these clinics numbered 8,451 of which 4,442 were new cases. Of the new cases 2,580 were referred for errors of refraction. The number of spectacles manufactured in the optical workshop and supplied to the children during the year was 2,686.
121. An important function of the School Health Service was the provision of prophylactic vaccinations. Children who were tuberculin tested numbered 39,978 and 9,965 were given BCG vaccination. In addition vaccination against smallpox, cholera, diphtheria and enteric fever was carried out systema- tically.
122. The four main infectious diseases recorded among school children were chickenpox, diphtheria, measles and enteric fever. With these diseases the numbers of eases recorded during 1953 reached new high levels, in all instances the increase being substantial. This was particularly so with regard to enteric fever, of which infection 282 cases were recorded as compared with 166 in the previous year.
123. The two Health Inspectors attached to the School Health Service carried out routine inspections of school premises in the urban areas as frequently as possible. During the year
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a total of 2,292 visits were made. In the New Territories school premises were inspected by the Medical Officer of Health and his staff.
124. The staff specifically available for the work of the School Health Service consisted of the Medical Officer in charge, 11 doctors, 1 nursing sister, 11 nurses, 2 health inspectors and 9 clerks. In addition there are 2 doctors, 2 nurses and 3 ophthalmic technicians for the ophthalmological work and 5 dentists with 5 women dental ussistants for the dentistry.
Malaria and Mosquito Control
125. The number of cases of malaria reported during 1963 was 780 as compared with 1,010 in the previous year. Not all these cases were diagnosed as a result of the finding of the specific parasite in the blood, and, in fact 46 cases were diagnosed on clinical grounds. In 1953, as in 1962, the number of deaths attributed to malaria was 46. The most frequently recorded type of malaria was benign tertian, which accounted for 57% of the cases diagnosed following blood examination. However, subtertian infection necurred also in substantial frequency being recorded in 42% of cases. Only 6 quarlan infections were recorded during the year.
126. It is difficult to assess accurately the incidence of the infection in the Colony as it is impossible to obtain exact information with regard to very many of the cases that are reported but, nevertheless, the incidence generally throughout the Colony is not high when account is taken of a population of some 24 million which is theoretically at risk. In the New Territories where, generally speaking, control measures to protect the civil population are not undertaken, it appears that the indigenous population has a relatively high degree of immunity to the local strains of parasites. Observations during the past 2 years have shown spleen and blood parasites rates of under 5%, although a recent spleen survey of 500 children between the ages of 3 and 5 years, conducted in the islands and other outlying parts of the New Territories, give an overall rate of 10%.
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