M 59
SECTION Y.
Port Health Work and Administration.
GENERAL.
232. Reckoned in terms of shipping tonnage, Hong Kong is one of the five greatest ports in the world. It is the principal commercial entrepot of Southern China and is the termination of steamship lines running between China, Japan and North America.
233. In 1936, 4,616 British ocean-going steamers and 6,364 foreign ocean-going steamers entered and cleared the harbour. In addition there were 8,963 river steamers, 5,487 launches, and 15,196 foreign trade junks. The total tonnage of vessels entering and clearing was 40,063,663.
234. The Medical Staff engaged in Port Health duties consists of two European Health Officers, two Chinese Medical Officers, one European Port Health Inspector and one Chinese Health Inspector.
235. The work of the department includes:
(a) Routine inspection of ships.
(b) Quarantine duty.
(c) Medical inspection of emigrants.
(d) Disinfection and fumigation of ships
(e) Vaccination.
236. The laws dealing with the subject of Quarantine and Port Health are contained in the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance, the Asiatic Emigration Ordinance and the Vaccination Ordinance.
237. During the year 5,481 inward bound ocean-going vessels were boarded by the Health Officers. Of these 2,306 were on the British register and 3,175 of foreign registry.
238. River boats from Canton, Macao and West River Ports, also junks and small craft are normally visited only when cases of sickness or death are reported. However all river steamers are regularly inspected by a Health Inspector, whose duties are mainly concerned with the cleanliness and sanitation of such vessels.