X-ray Surreys.
140. No general population X-ray surveys were carried out during the year on the ground that the facilities for subsequent diagnosis and treatment are already overstrained to such an extent that limitation of numbers of first attenders has been in force throughout the year. Certain special groups were examined.
141. All Government servants are now X-rayed on first appointment and thereafter at annual intervals. This annual examination has been in force for several years and is paying handsome dividends in the form of reduction of total sick leave, considerable reduction in the numbers invalided as a result of tuberculosia each year, and considerable improvement in the prognosis of cases found. A few individuals atill are not regularly examined, but the number is small. The results of survey for the past few years were:
Total X-rayed
Examined at clinie
Table 15
1957. 1964. 1955. 1954. 24,915 26,255 26,674 27,812
2.746 0.722 61
3.222 3,751 1.017 1.272 101 77
4,347
1.34
74
Active tuberculosis percentage New active cuses 142. It will be seen that not only has there been a steady increase in the totala examined, but there has also been a dis- proportionate increase in the numbers subsequently requiring assessment. The increase in the incidence of active disease is a finding which has been noted elsewhere. The number of new cases found each year is fairly constant, and most are minimal
cases.
148. X-ray survey of employees of private bodies in carried out free of charge under certaio guarantees covering the protec- tion of the patient, with special reference to sick leave on pay and security of tenure of office. Employees found to be suffer- ing from tuberculosis have complete freedom of choice as to where they obtain treatment.
144. The number of firms participating and the totals of those examined have shown a substantial drop compared with previous years on account of the fact that the Mobile X-ray unit was not available for the greater part of the year.
38
The findings for the year with comparative findings for previous years were as follows:
Total X-rayed on 35 mm. film
Table 16
1956.
1956.
2.182
2,870
6,291
2,517
183
322
100
127.
30
1.01%
Reported normal
Clinically examined
Active Tuberculosis
Percentage of active tuberculosis
146. The smaller percentage of active tuberculosis found this year cannot be regarded as an indication of reduced local prevalence as the total number was small and the groups were selected in that they were made up of a disproportionately large proportion of students in schools and in Hong Kong University.
147. All inmates of Stanley Prison arc X-rayed as soon ay possible after arrival, assessed and treated if necessary by a medical officer from the chest clinic, who visits the prison weekly. Hospital treatment is available on a scale considerably greater than is available to law abiding citizens, and in fact. any prisoner whose case justifies it can be admitted to hospital. More than one ex-prisoner has deliberately sought re-admission to prison in order that he can be admitted to the prison hospital for treatment of his pulmonary tuberculosis.
148.
The results of examinations were as follows: Total number X-rayed
Number of cases of active tuberculoals found
School Teachers.
3,036 TR
140. Teachers in government schools are examined annually in the course of the annual X-ray of government servants. Teachers taking up first appointment in private schools have compulsory pre-registration X-ray of the chest before permis- sion to teach is given. The Medical Department is the officia! agency for certification. The findings in cases that attended the chest clinics for assessment and certification were:
150.
Referred to the Chaat Clinics Unfit to teach on account of
pulmonary tuberculosis
1954. 1955, 1958.
ZRA 342
455
36
CHF
School teachers found unfit to teach are permitted to resume work as soon as it appears that they can do so without
39