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It is regarded as indicative of growing confidence in the Society's work that out of the last 50 cases no fewer than 24 were reported by officials or members of the public.
The most outstanding feature disclosed by the in- vestigation of cases is the fact that so many of those involved live on the border line of starvation.
In 95 cases the family income was ascertained.
In 7 of these cases the family income amounted to $50 a month or upwards.
In the remaining 88 cases the aggregate monthly incomes of 88 families, comprising in all 340 individuals, amounted to $1,301.40. In other words, there was an average income of slightly over $3.80 her head per month, out of which to provide food, lodging and cloth- ing.
Where sheer proverty is so predominant it will be appreciated that it is a matter of great difficulty to classify, with any approach to accuracy, the causes which gave rise to the reporting of cases, Particularly do poverty and disease march side by side.
The case may roughly be classified as follows:-
Exposure
1
Begging
10
Carrying of over-heavy loads
+
Alleged ill-treatment of mui tsai
(not proved)
1
Advice sought
Improper feeding through ignorance
Poverty
Disease, including neglect to provide proper
medical attention
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107
3
The classification is necessarily somewhat arbitrary, for the primary cause of the diseases and of the failure to procure proper medical attention for them, was poverty.
Only two cases in any way concerning mui tsai were brought to the Society's notice. In one of these the
• girl in question alleged that she had been ill-treated by her mistress, but she was unable to point out to those charged with the investigation of the case the house in which her mistress lived and in which the alleged ill-treatment took place. In the other case on institution in North Borneo sought the help of the Society in arranging for a former mui tsai to be accom- modated and maintained in a suitable institution in the Colony.
No case of cruelty to any child has been reported to the Society.
Failure to obtain proper medical attention for sick children has been a frequent cause of complaint. In numerous cases this resulted from the parent or parents being employed throughout the day and having no time to take the children to hospital. In almost all cases the Inspector was able to secure that the children re- ceived medical attention.
Arrangements have been made with the Chinese Public Dispensaries whereunder children are sent to the Dispensaries and the doctors, in their turn, report those cases in which, owing to poverty of parents or other causes, the Society can be of assistance.
The Society's Inspector has been instructed to note in all cases whether the children concerned have been vaccinated and, where they have not, to press for vac- cination.
In 19 cases of extreme poverty milk has been sup- plied for young children suffering from malnutrition, In all cases the supply is maintained so long as appears necessary and the results have been markedly beneficial, In other cases of poverty food has been supplied for older children.
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