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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
parts of the world in combatting the ravages of malaria it is a standing reproach to this Colony that so little improvement has been made here. In spite of the need for economy we can no longer afford to neglect this all important problem and the first step necessary is to obtain expert advice on the best way of attaining our end. I have been much interested to notice since the estimates were printed that this subject has received considerable public attention as the result of a recent article on Malaria by a well known Medical Professor of the Hong Kong University. The annual cost for next year is estimated at just over $20,000. This provides for the Research Officer at $8,000, a European Inspector, six coolies for work in the field, $2,000 for equipment, microscopes, etc., and $5,000 for field works. As the investigations proceed it will probably be necessary in subsequent years to increase the amount provided for field works.
It has been decided that the Medical Officer of Health and the Assistant Medical Officers of Health should more properly appear under the Medical than under the Sanitary Department Estimates, Provi- though they will remain seconded to the latter department. sion has been made for one more Assistant Medical Officer of Health. He will be required for work in rural districts both on the main land and on the island. It is not proposed that these districts shall be brought under the control of the Sanitary Board in the same way as the urban districts are; the officer's work will be more in the nature of educating and instructing the villagers in sanitation and hygiene. He will, of course, work in conjunction with the District Officers.
With the opening of the new central medical store, a very neces- sary and long-needed provision to insure the economical use of valu- able stores, it will be necessary to engage an additional Assistant Apothecary, and provision has accordingly been made. It is intended It is to use the Victoria Hospital for men as well as for women. more suitable than the General Civil Hospital for Europeans and there is now sufficient accommodation. To cope with the increased number of patients which this will entail provision has been made for two more Nursing Sisters. Probationer nurses have been increased by six posts. In time it is hoped that these Chinese nurses will be able to take the place of Europeans, and it is considered desirable that as many as possible should be trained.
Under other charges subhead 14-" Fuel and Light" has been Two increased by $2,500. Previously this vote was under-estimated. of the votes of the Bacteriological Institute have been increased in The sale of order to meet the growing demand for vaccines and sera. these is, of course, a source of revenue to Government.
Head 26-Sanitary Department.
The scavenging at Aberdeen, Aplichau, Stanley and Tytam which is at present done by a contractor is to be done departmentally on the expiration of the present contract at the end of this year. It is
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