- M 169
Human milk
Urine
22 samples.
33
1
Gastric Contents
40
27
(30). An increase in this work is to be reported and several new routine determinations were carried out e.g. diastatic index of urine and analyses of gastric contents after test meals.
(31). An investigation which is still in progress was started on the composition of the breast milk of nursing Chinese mothers in order to verify or otherwise the statement made in public that Chinese babies cannot digest milk of high fat content. This work was carried out at the request of M. O. i/c. Government Infant Welfare Centre.
Materials from Government Departments for testing.
(32). Again it is to be reported that full use is not made by Government Departments of the facilities offered by the laboratory. One sample of paint was submitted by the P.W.D. and reported against.
(33). All consignments of coal for Government Departments were again tested in order to arrive at the price to be paid to the contractors, and fumigation of books in several Government buildings with Hydrocyanic acid gas was carried out.
(34). Two years ago an investigation was started on the keeping qualities of sweetened condensed milk in lifeboats of passenger-carrying ships. A ship travelling between Australia and Hong Kong was selected and a batch of condensed milk placed in the boats. Every three months samples of the milk are sent to the laboratory i.e. after one complete round journey through hot and cold weather and it is to be reported that even after two years the milk, although having darkened and thickened, is still sound and fit for consumption.
(3). Some years ago foodstuffs issued to the Police Department by the contractor were regularly examined here. This practice was stopped and this year as a result of numerous complaints at New Territories Police Stations, their supplies of ghee and atta were examined and found to be of bad quality. As a result of this, routine examination of the supplies has been started again resulting in genuine foodstuffs being supplied.
Semi-Official Work.
(86). Practically all this work is for the Naval & Military Authorities and includes further tests on the atmosphere in submarine battery rooms.