M 69
267. Diseases: As in other years it was found that the great majority of infants required medical treatment on their first visits. The number found suffering from the more prevalent diseases and disorders are tabulated under:-
Wanchai Kowloon Digestive Disturbances 866 538 Malnutrition 744 351 Infected Umbilicus 86 51 Umbilical Hernia 66 51 Conjunctivitis 477 174 Discharging Ears 49 39 Thrush 285 205 Skin Diseases 481 272 Phimosis 335 117 Jaundice 33 16 Anaemia 20 22 Congenital Syphilis 80 89 Rickets 5 2 Respiratory Diseases 753 380268. Wasserman Reaction:- Since the end of March, routine examination of the blood of all new cases for Wasserman reaction has been made. The number of blood tests at each Centre was 1,047 at Wanchai, and 622 at Kowloon, and the percentage of Positive Reactions was 7.5 per cent at Wanchai, and 13 per cent at Kowloon.
269. Soup Kitchen:- The free distribution of soup to the poor nursing mothers and their older babies was continued throughout the year at both Centres to the great benefit of these people. The average daily attendance for soup was 14.6 at Wanchai, and 36.9 at Kowloon.
270. General Remarks:- Incorrect feeding with its trail of digestive disturbances continues to be our most difficult problem. Morning talks were given for some months but were discontinued when it was found that Mothers were unable to make the mental effort to listen. More time is now given to the individual instruction of each mother on her first and second visits, impressing on her the importance of regular feeds and of suitable artificial feeds when required. We have still the problem of the many mothers who are unable to read the clock.
271. During the year, the Society for the Protection of Children has continued to give valuable help by supplying milk for artificial feeds to poor mothers, and by visiting cases referred to them.