127. No asylum or refuge was built and the net result of the 1910 act was to make the position worse than it was before. Under the law, except in the case of the man rich enough to provide for himself in his own domain sufficient isolation, no treatment by a private practitioner or treatment as an outpatient at a hospital was permissible however slight the symptoms. The Police had at once to be notified and the unhappy victim taken into custody to be expelled from the Colony if he were unable to prove himself a British subject or to be released to hide himself in hopeless isolation if he could so prove.
128. On the 13th of June, 1935, was passed the Lepers Ordinance 1935 which repealed that of 1910. The new Ordinance looks upon leprosy less harshly than its predecessor. The unfortunate individual who has contracted the loathsome affliction through no fault of his own is now regarded as a human case of disease who has a claim to receive the same sympathetic treatment for his trouble as is accorded to anyone suffering from any other disease of a contagious nature such as tuberculosis or venereal disease.
129. It is the intention of Government to establish a proper leper settlement in a suitable situation when the necessary funds are available. Unfortunately the severe financial depression prevented anything being done in 1936 or any provision being entered in the estimates for 1937. The settlement when built will not be solely a place of segregation but in addition a centre for inpatient treatment and retreat for those who are unable to provide for themselves.
130. In May, 1935, arrangements were made with the Tung Wah Hospital Committee for the use of the Smallpox Hospital as a refuge for lepers. During the year 1936 129 cases were admitted (106 males and 23 females), 15 remaining at end of 1935.
131. The subsequent histories of those admitted were:-
Discharged for treatment as outpatients at one or other of the Government Hospitals 12 Transferred to Shek Lung Leper Settlement 82 Discharged at their own request................ 7 Ran away 21 Died 12 Discharged not leper 2 Remaining at the end of the year (1936) 3 Total 144132. A European Medical Officer attended twice a week for the purpose of administering treatment.