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pose best when they are run in connexion with hospitals or general dispensaries and not as separate units. It is hoped to make further provision for venereal treatment in the near future when more staff will be available.
Contribution to Schools of Research.
With regard to the question of contributions to schools for re- search in tropical diseases-the subject should be examined under two headings, viz. pure research Pure re- and applied research. Government Dentist.
search can perhaps be more econo- It is intended that the Govern-mically carried out in laboratories ment Dentist shall devote his ser- in Europe-but applied research, vices primarily to those officers that is research applied to our own whose salaries are below £400 a particular problems, can only be year and who are entitled to free properly carried out here-and medical treatment. It is hoped should form part of the duties of it may be possible to arrange for local laboratory workers. attention being given to school Education of the Public in Matters children and to prisoners who re-
of Hygiene. quire service which cannot be per- formed by the Gaol Medical Officer.
Malaria.
With regard to malaria preven- tion negotiations are proceeding for the transfer to this Colony from the Federated Malay States of an experienced Malariologist and a skilled assistant. These Officers will form the nucleus of an anti-malaria organisation which will be built up from local material and which will investi- gate, advise, and in some cases execute the measures necessary for anopheline eradication,
An anopheline survey has been completed at Stanley and an inves- tigation is being conducted at Repulse Bay. The observations so far made appear to indicate that the problems here are very much the same as those in the Federated Malay States and there is every reason to believe that the mea- sures which have proved effective there will be successful here. Training in Hygiene & Preventive Medicine.
I entirely agree with the view that "the importance of adequate training in hygiene and preventive medicine can hardly be over 'stated." One of the greatest needs of the Colony in this line is a school for instruction of Sanitary Inspectors such as exists at Singapore. At present the Health Staff is insufficient to allow of the proper conduct of such an Institution, but with the advent of additional Health Officers this dif- ficulty will disappear and it will then be possible to arrange for its lestablishment.
Board of Health. With regard to the suggestion that a Board of Health be formed I have in my recommendations for re-organisation of the Medical and Sanitary Services included a pro- ¡posal for the formation of a Public Health Advisory Board. This proposal is now under con- sideration by Government.
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In order to stimulate the willing co-operation of all concerned and to ensure that the best possible advice shall be obtained and the best possible methods used, I have recommended the establishment of a Public Health Advisory Board
and composed of officials officials, doctors and laymen whose duty it will be to examine and weigh up the factors connected with the various problems and to advise as to the action which should be adopted.
Wells.
un-
bacteriological counts have been Many chemical analyses and
made of water samples from wells The re- sunk in populous areas.
The policy of the Building Au- thority is to refuse sanction for the opening of wells in premises where a pipe supply is available, except in cases where a guarantee is given that the well water will be used solely for the purposes of flushing or for watering gardens. of
On the subject of lectures in sanitation, hygiene and anti-sults show that pollution is pre- 'malaria methods-it is hoped, sent in the majority of cases.
ultimately to establish a properly staffed propaganda section which will take the necessary action to spread instruction through lec- tures, posters, pamphlets, lantern and cinema shows and through the Press. The Sanitary Board has recently approved a proposal to issue pictorial posters showing the harm done by insanitary premises, which posters were prepared at the suggestion of Dr. Fawcett, M.O.H.
Development of the Preventive Side of Medicine. The Honourable Senior Chinese Member, Sir Shou-son Chow, in approving the development of the preventive side of the Medical Department expressed the wish that that policy may be carried out in a liberal and sympathetic spirit and with due regard to the sus- ceptibilities of the people.
Recognising that the co-opera- tion of the people is a factor of
the utmost importance in matters of Public Health, every endeavour will be made to secure the good will of the populace by respecting old customs and traditions provid ed they are not incompatible with the principles of Public Health.
When disease affects the indivi- dual only the choice of nursing Jand treatment lies with the patient or his guardian. Where the ill- ness is of such an infectious na-
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Wells are closed by order the Sanitary Board only when it is proved to their satisfaction that the water is polluted and there is danger of it being used for potable purposes.
Nuisance from Market Gardens.
It is possible to grow vegetables without the creation of a nuisance and without danger to health, but in the area complained of the con ditions prevailing make it almost impossible to economically carry on market gardening without nuisance.
It has been decided to cancel the permits of those who trans- gress the conditions of permit in respect of the use of manure.
Obstruction by Street Stalls.
The subject of the propriety of allowing food stalls in streets is one over which there has been much argument in many coun- tries, and one which it is prac- tically impossible to solve to the satisfaction of all parties.
Stalls are the shops of the poor and their abolition would in many cases be a hardship on that class of the community.
On the other hand it is very difficult indeed to control the quality of the food sold and to ensure freedom from contamina- tion. It is also difficult to pre- vent obstruction and to provide for the proper disposal of waste products.
ture that the case not only endangers the health and lives of those who approach near, but through them the health and lives of others more remote, I feel sure the Honourable Chinese Members will agree that the prejudices and wishes of the patient or his
The question of the removal of friends should not be allowed to the stalls complained of is re- outweigh unduly the risks to theceiving the attention of the Sani- community and the possibility of the establishment of an epidemic.
tary Board and the Public Works Department and it is hoped that a satisfactory solution will soon be found. (Applause).
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