7
A small block for patients suffering from diphtheria, typhoid fever and similar infectious diseases was opened during 1939 at the Kowloon Hospital pending the building of a new infectious diseases hospital nearby on the Kowloon Medical Centre.
Another minor, but useful improvement, consisted of a new block of staff quarters for the matron and midwives on the roof of the Government (Tsan Yuk) Maternity Hospital.
The Hospital Committee appointed by the Governor in 1938 under the chairmanship of the Director of Medical Services completed its deliberations in 1939 and submitted a report which has since received the careful consideration of Government. The report has been published and a copy may be obtained on application to the Medical Department, Hong Kong.
4. WELFARE ACTIVITIES.
A further large increase in the attendances at the welfare centres was registered in 1939 and attained the figure of 161,157 (124,046 in 1938).
A new welfare centre was established in May in Block C of the former Government Civil Hospital. Measures were taken at the end of the year to convert the former Central British School in Nathan Road, Kowloon, into a health centre with a large welfare section.
With the approval of Government, sites were earmarked for a network of health centres throughout the urban area and New Territories and plans have been prepared to build these centres as and when funds become available.
Efforts were made to increase the "preventive" value of the welfare centres during the period under review, emphasis being placed on talks and demonstrations to mothers, domiciliary visits by health visitors, and so on. There is still considerable scope for such development at these centres which are too prone to assume the character of sick baby dispensaries in view of the heavy burden of sickness throughout the community.
5. NUTRITION.
Nutrition occupies pride of place in the problems to be solved in Hong Kong. It has been proved again and again that good housing, though of the very greatest importance to health, loses much of its value unless the occupants enjoy reasonable means for the purchase of food.
An overcrowded labour market reducing possible earnings, taken in conjunction with increased rents and a general rise in the cost of living amounting to about 45 per centum since the outbreak of the European War, has had an adverse effect on the general standard of nutrition in 1939.
Deaths from beri-beri alone—to mention but one of the obvious deficiency diseases—increased from 2,673 in 1938 to 3,189 in 1939. Whole wards had to be devoted to the treatment of cases of beri-beri and, in a relief hospital of 300 beds, it was usual to find 250 occupied by patients suffering from this condition or from other gross forms of malnutrition or faulty nutrition.
Further practical nutrition experiments were carried out by the Medical Department in the camps for refugees and destitutes which it administered. These camps held upwards of 12,000 persons at times; consequently, ample material was available for field experiment. Careful checks were made daily in regard to the quantity and quality of food served, children were weighed and medically examined weekly and adults once monthly.
7
A small block for patients suffering from diphtheria, typhoid fever and similar infectious diseases was opened during 1939 at the Kowloon Hospital pending the building of a new infectious diseases hospital nearby on the Kowloon Medical Centre.
Another minor, but useful improvement, consisted of a new block of staff quarters for the matron and midwives on the roof of the Government (Tsan Yuk) Maternity Hospital.
The Hospital Committee appointed by the Governor in 1938 under the chair- manship of the Director of Medical Services completed its deliberations in 1939 and submitted a report which has since received the careful consideration of Government. The report has been published and a copy may be obtained on application to the Medical Department, Hong Kong.
4. WELFARE ACTIVITIES.
A further large increase in the attendances at the welfare centres was registered in 1939 and attained the figure of 161,157 (124,046 in 1938).
A new welfare centre was established in May in Block C. of the former Government Civil Hospital. Measures were taken at the end of the year to convert the former Central British School in Nathan Road, Kowloon, into a health centre with a large welfare section.
With the approval of Government, sites were earmarked for a network of health centres throughout the urban area and New Territories and plans have been prepared to build these centres as and when funds become available.
Efforts were made to increase the "preventive" value of the welfare centres during the period under review, emphasis being placed on talks and demonstrations to mothers, domiciliary visits by health visitors, and SO on. There is still considerable scope for such development at these centres which are too prone to assume the character of sick baby dispensaries in view of the heavy burden of sickness throughout the community.
5. NUTRITION.
Nutrition occupies pride of place in the problems to be solved in Hong Kong. It has been proved again and again that good housing, though of the very greatest importance to health, loses much of its value unless the occupants enjoy reasonable means for the purchase of food.
An overcrowded labour market reducing possible earnings, taken in conjunction with increased rents and a general rise in the cost of living amounting to about 45 per centum since the outbreak of the European War, has had an adverse effect on the general standard of nutrition in 1939.
Deaths from beri beri alone-to mention but one of the obvious deficiency diseases-increased from 2,673 in 1938 to 3,189 in 1939. Whole wards had to be devoted to the treatment of cases of beri beri and, in a relief hospital of 300 beds, it was usual to find 250 occupied by patients suffering from this condition or from other gross forms of malnutrition or faulty nutrition.
&
Further practical nutrition experiments were carried out by the Medical Department in the camps for refugees and destitutes which it administered. These camps held upwards of 12,000 persons at times, consequently, ample material was available for field experiment. Careful checks were made daily in regard to the quantity and quality of food served, children were weighed and medically examined weekly and adults once monthly.
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