M 21
61. The pipe-borne water supply is filtered and chlorinated but one exposed service reservoir, referred to in last year's report, remains uncovered. An undertaking has been obtained that a start will be made on this essential work in 1940.
62. (iii) Smallpox. The epidemic, as happened last year, attained its peak in March. Despite the fact that vaccination is compulsory, and the strenuous efforts of the department to ensure that all babies are vaccinated soon after birth, it has to be admitted that the Chinese custom of postponing vaccination until the second year of a child's life is proving difficult to overcome. The result is that, as in 1938, the majority of smallpox victims in 1939 were babies and children under five years of age.
(c) Other diseases.
63. (i) Leprosy. As mentioned in the 1938 report Government acquired the former Tung Wah Smallpox Hospital for the accommodation of lepers. The buildings, which are in a dangerous and dilapidated condition, were declared a leper settlement early in 1939 and measures for the proper control and discipline of lepers were instituted. The settlement is now surrounded by a barbed wire fence which is patrolled by police. In this manner the annoyance previously caused in the town by wandering lepers has been overcome and the risk of spreading the disease is lessened.
64. It is of interest to note that, according to the Chinese traditional conception of leprosy, it is possible for lepers to sell their unfortunate disease to others by sexual intercourse, total and partial cure being supposed to result in the case of females and males, respectively.
65. In order to maintain discipline and cleanliness in the settlement, two male and one female heads were chosen from the lepers and paid $5 each per month. This measure of self-government has proved very satisfactory in practice.
66. There is no doubt that, despite the poor buildings, lepers now live under conditions which are a great improvement on previous years. In addition to treatment, they are provided with beds and a properly balanced diet and their necessarily restricted and monotonous lives are brightened by indoor games, newspapers, magazines and a wireless receiving set.
67. The following table gives the figures for the settlement during 1939:
Table VIII.
Remaining from 1938 133 Admitted during 1939 295 Transferred to Sheklung, Swatow and Pakhoi 165 Escaped 67 Died 21 Discharged 3 Remaining at end of 1939 17268. (ii) Tuberculosis. Climatic, social and economic conditions all tend towards fostering this disease and the combination works only too well. The task of controlling and eradicating tuberculosis in the Colony presents a most difficult problem but, nevertheless, one which can be tackled successfully if approached in a spirit of...