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116. The position in regard to food and deficiency diseases was under investigation during the year by the Nutrition Research Committee appointed in 1938. Its report for the year is given as Appendix I.
(B) Measures taken to spread the knowledge of hygiene and sanitation.
117. An improved system for the teaching of hygiene in schools was under the consideration of the Education Department and the School Hygiene Branch of the Medical Department towards the end of the year and it is hoped that modern methods of teaching this important subject will be introduced in 1940. This will apply especially to the private schools which have been open to criticism in this respect in the past.
118. Very useful work is being carried out in spreading knowledge of hygiene by the nurses from health centres who spend their afternoons visiting the homes of mothers and children and advising them on mothercraft and personal and domestic hygiene. Lectures and demonstrations are also given at the centres by medical officers and nurses. Midwives, also, in addition to their obstetric duties, are proving a valuable means of improving conditions in the homes of their patients.
119. Propaganda is carried out through broadcasting and the press and by means of pamphlets and posters. Lectures on hygiene are given by members of the Medical Department and by the staff of the Chinese public dispensaries. A course of ten lectures on hygiene is given each year to school teachers in training at the University and this should eventually have beneficial results.
120. With the forthcoming transfer of the sanitary inspectorate to the direct control of the Health Division of the Department, it will be possible to make use of the inspectors' training and knowledge in spreading the principles of hygiene amongst the population.
(C) Training of sanitary personnel.
121. There was no change in the system of training outlined in the Report for 1938 but it is hoped that certain improvements will be effected during 1940.
122. An examination for the Sanitary Inspector's Certificate of the Royal Sanitary Institute was held in Hong Kong in 1939 and thirteen candidates were successful.
(D) Recommendations for future work.
123. In connexion with items enumerated under this heading in the Report for 1938 the following information may be of interest :-
(a) The deputy director of health services arrived in the Colony at the end of 1939 and, now that steps are advanced for the transfer of the sanitary inspectorate to the direct control of the health officers, the much-required reorganization of the health services of the Colony and improvement in the training of sanitary personnel can take place.
(b) Two Chinese health officers were appointed in 1939 and arrangements were made to appoint two European health officers early in 1940. This increase in staff will allow of the division of the island area into three health districts instead of two, thus enabling health officers to devote more personal attention to the many problems with which they are faced.
(c) There is no improvement in the main sewerage system and in the case of Kowloon progress must await the report of experts who are expected from England to advise on reclamation work at the typhoon shelter.