M 102
480. The rules and regulations governing village life are nowhere laid down in print but have been handed down from generation to generation. There are no heads of villages appointed by and responsible to Government, for the conduct of village affairs, but there are "Village Elders" who are accepted as arbiters in petty disputes and who have acquired their position through age, experience, wealth or family rank. These elders have no executive power and are regarded by the villagers and by Government as advisers only.
481. From time to time co-operative efforts are made for the good of the community—some contributing money, some materials and some labour. In this way the paving of streets or paths, the construction of a bridge or the digging of a village well is brought about.
Public Health.
482. There are practically no public health laws in force in the rural areas of the New Territories. The Public Health and Buildings Ordinance of the Colony does not apply and there is no power to ensure notification, isolation or disinfection of disease cases. The Vaccination Ordinance applies but there has never been any compulsory vaccination.
483. Figures for diseases incidence during the years the New Territories have been under British jurisdiction are not available so that incident rates for particular diseases cannot be calculated. Such being the case the health conditions of the people can only be gauged by inspection and deduction.
484. Past reports of District Officers or of the Police make little mention of diseases or of deaths and the natural conclusion is that there was little out of the normal to note.
485. Enquiries made at the villages elicit little that can be called alarming. Some sick can be found but they are few compared with the number of healthy looking men, women and children one sees going about attending to their various occupations.
486. Near the hills there is a considerable amount of malaria but judging from the appearance of the people the number of chubby children and the lowness of the spleen rates the ravages of this disease are mild when compared with other tropical countries.
487. Abnormalities and accidents in connection with pregnancy and child birth must occur but from all accounts they are few in proportion to the numbers of normal cases.
M 102
480. The rules and regulations governing village life are nowhere laid down in print but have been handed down from generation to generation. There are no heads of villages ap- pointed by and responsible to Government, for the conduct of village affairs, but there are "Village Elders" who are accepted as arbiters in petty disputes and who have acquired their position through age, experience, wealth or family rank. These elders have no executive power and are regarded by the villagers and by Government as advisers only.
481. From time to time co-operative efforts are made for the good of the community-some contributing money, some materials and some labour. In this way the paving of streets or paths, the construction of a bridge or the digging of a village well is brought about.
Public Health.
482. There are practically no public health laws in force in the rural areas of the New Territories. The Public Health and Buildings Ordinance of the Colony does not apply and there is no power to ensure notification, isolation or disinfection of disease cases. The Vaccination Ordinance applies but there has never been any compulsory vaccination.
488. Figures for diseases incidence during the years the New Territories have been under British jurisdiction are not available so that incident rates for particular diseases cannot be calculated. Such being the case the health conditions of the people can only be gauged by inspection and deduction.
484. Past reports of District Officers or of the Police make little mention of diseases or of deaths and the natural con- clusion is that there was little out of the normal to note.
485. Enquiries made at the villages elicits little that can be called alarming. Some sick can be found but they are few compared with the number of healthy looking men, women and children one sees going about attending to their various occupa- tions.
486. Near the hills there is a considerable amount of malaria but judging from the appearance of the people the number of chubby children and the lowness of the spleen rates the ravages of this disease are mild when compared with other tropical countries.
487. Abnormalities and accidents in connection with pregnancy and child birth must occur but from all accounts they are few in proportion to the numbers of normal cases:
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