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137. In view of the recurrence of cholera in 1938, and the prevalence of typhoid and dysenteric infections, it became necessary to introduce legislation restricting the sale of ice-cream, non-aerated fruit-juice, jellies and uncooked fish. The sale of cut and peeled fruit was prohibited. Reference has already been made to legislation to enforce compulsory pasteurisation.
138. The Adulterated Food and Drugs Ordinance empowers health officers, veterinary surgeons and sanitary inspectors to take samples and submit them for analysis. Table XII gives the analyses carried out during the year.
Table XII.
Food or drug No. of samples analysed No. found adulterated Butter 18 Cheese 25 1 Cream 24 Lard 7 Milk (reconstituted) 45 Condensed milk and condensed skim milk 10 Milk (fresh) 118 5 Milk (unsweetened, evaporated) 7 Dried milk, full and half cream 10 Tea 31 3 294 10139. The following foods were seized and destroyed:- bread 96 lbs., confectionery 3 lbs., fish 59 lbs., flour 10,920 lbs., fruit 45 lbs., meat 850 lbs., condensed milk 1 lb., offal 260 lbs., tea 7,164 lbs. and vegetables 385 lbs.
140. The following foods were voluntarily surrendered and destroyed:- bread 1,145 lbs., condiments 1 lb., confectionery 847 lbs., eggs 1,280 lbs., fish 924 lbs., flour 3,080 lbs., fruit 9823 lbs., jam 263 lbs., meat 6,794 lbs., milk (condensed and powder) 7,427 lbs., tea 5,000 lbs. and vegetables 1,445 lbs.
141. There are two large dairies in the Colony, one Chinese owned on the mainland, one European owned on the Island. The Queen Mary Hospital was built within a few hundred yards of the latter and as a result is inundated with flies during the summer months.
142. Every effort is being made with Government approval to find a suitable site for a new farm on the mainland to which that adjoining the Queen Mary Hospital can be removed during the next few years. The fullest cooperation in this and in an endeavour to abate the fly-nuisance on the farm is forthcoming from the company concerned but while cattle, feeding materials and manure remain in the area, the presence of flies will continue.
143. The plague in the most up-to-date and costly hospital in the Colony became so great a danger in 1938, that permission had to be obtained to enclose with wire gauze the kitchens and infectious diseases wards.
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