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# Deficiency Diseases.
257. The only information available regarding deficiency diseases is furnished by the death returns and returns of diseases furnished by the Government Hospitals and Chinese Hospitals. The hospitals deal with only a small proportion of the sick and the whole truth regarding the incidence of disease among the masses cannot be deduced from their figures. The death returns also are misleading in that the majority of cases were not treated by competent physicians prior to death and the Medical Officer examining a body in the mortuary, had no history to assist him in coming to a conclusion as to the cause of death.
258. Beri-Beri. Polished rice is the staple food of the masses yet beri-beri is not epidemic and the deaths from this disease formed only 2.43 per cent of the total deaths. The total number of deaths recorded was 483 and the death rate per mille population 0.59. The total number treated in the Government Hospitals for this disease was 39, those treated in the Chinese Hospitals numbered 1,416.
259. Rickets. No cases of rickets were admitted to either The Government or the Chinese Hospitals.
260. Scurvy. No cases came to the notice of the Medical Authorities.
# Measures taken to spread the knowledge of Hygiene and Sanitation.
261. The measures taken to spread the knowledge of Hygiene and Sanitation among the populace of Hong Kong have up to date been sporadic and patchy. Every year during 'health week' the Y.M.C.A. arranges for a series of lectures to be given. The St. John Ambulance Brigade from time to time spread the gospel concerning some particular subject. A number of the schools teach elementary hygiene. The Chinese Public Dispensaries arrange periodically for popular lectures to be given by their medical officers. The 'Schools' branch of the Medical Department have a small demonstration centre and the school medical officers and nurses give lectures and demonstrations. At the Infant Welfare Centre endeavours are made to instruct the mothers who attend.
262. Health instruction to serve any useful purpose must arouse and retain the interest of those for whom it is intended. With regard to the masses little of practical value can be accomplished without the active assistance of the mothers of the families, and the quickest and surest way of obtaining the confidence of the mothers is through health centres where free medical advice and treatment form the primary attraction and
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