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24. Voluntary effort was utilized to the fullest extent. A new organization was inaugurated during the year called the Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association and, within a short time, justified its existence. It was responsible for starting anti-tuberculosis clinics, for educational propaganda (by poster, film, pamphlet, radio broadcast, etc.).
25. Other voluntary effort took the form of educational, medical and welfare work for the refugees in the camps under the control of the Medical Department.
NEW LEGISLATION,
26. Legislation of public health importance enacted in 1940 included a new and up-to-date ordinance for the registration of dentists.
27. The Inimigration Ordinance passed in 1940 to become effective in 1941 is expected to have a profound effect on public health and the ultimate reduction of gross overcrowding and deficiency in the social services of the Colony.
28. Anti-spitting legislation was, also, introduced and will be enforced by degrees.
29. To summarize. 1940 was a difficult year for the Medical Services the members of which were called upon to bear a much heavier burden than previously owing to the toll of suffering resulting from hostilities and without increase of staff. All members rose well to the occasion.
STAFF AND ORGANIZATION.
HYGIENE AND SANITATION.
30. The appointment of a senior health officer and the transfer of health inspectorate to the Medical Department were important steps in the development and reorganization of the Health Division.
MALARIA CONTROL.
31. Existing control measures were maintained with progress in both permanent and temporary anti-malarial works. Valuable cooperation and financial assistance were given by the Military Authorities. Despite heavy rainfall and extensive excavations with resultant increased anopheline breeding places, control proved effective.
EPIDEMIC DISEASES.
32. (a) Cholera. The outbreak at the end of August became serious in September. Insanitary areas in the vicinity of Kowloon and Kowloon City were chiefly affected. Total cases 945 with 626 deaths. Provision of piped water supplies, public latrines and improved scavenging with routine anti-cholera measures led to rapid improvement, but sporadic cases occurred until the end of the year.
(b) Smallpox. 335 cases (eighteen imported) with 270 deaths occurred. Fifty-six per centum of the cases were children under five years. Intensive anti-smallpox campaign resulted in 2,399,401 vaccinations. Measures for more stringent enforcement of the compulsory vaccination of infants were instituted.
OTHER DISEASES.
33. (a) Leprosy. Much needed improvements to the Leper Settlement were carried out. Lepers resident at the end of the year numbered 226 compared to 175 in 1939.
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(b) Tuberculosis. 9,443 cases with 5,751 deaths were notified. The Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association, formed on the 29th of February, 1940, worked in close cooperation with the Health Authorities. In addition to increasing work amongst the afflicted, this Association has done much to arouse public interest in one of the Colony's greatest problems.
(c) Venereal diseases. The staff of the Social Hygiene branch was augmented by one Chinese lady medical officer, four health nurses and three health visitors. A considerable number of home visits were made, chiefly among prostitutes. A new centre for females was opened in Kowloon, allowing separation of male and female clinics.
GENERAL MEASURES OF SANITATION.
34.
(a) Sewage disposal. Government accepted a recommendation by the Urban Council for the departmental collection of nightsoil from "dry" latrines in the urban areas and provision for this service has been made in the 1941-42 Estimates. The possibility of "maturing" nightsoil for safe use as fertilizer in the New Territories, with a view to stimulating agricultural output, was investigated. A start will be made on experimental lines in 1941.
(b) Refuse disposal. Several improvements in collection and disposal were carried out. Further measures in this connexion and in street cleansing methods will come into operation in 1941. Successful experiments in the treatment of refuse by the Indore system were carried out but adoption of the method on a large scale is as yet undecided.
(c) Drainage. Proposals for the drainage of villages around Kowloon are
under consideration.
(d) The quality of pipe-borne water supplies was consistently good
throughout the year.
SCHOOL HYGIENE.
35. Regular inspection of private school premises was instituted. Recommen- dations for adjusting 784 schools to new health regulations were made. A dental clinic for school children was inaugurated following the appointment of a Government dental surgeon. Investigations into the physical condition of children attending "good" and "poor" schools were made and this work will be followed by observing the effect of a daily issue of soya bean milk on the poor children.
LABOUR CONDITIONS.
36. Realization that the care of labour is of economic as well as social importance has led to an increased interest in the housing and general welfare of their employees by the larger and more reputable concerns operating in the Colony, But, generally speaking, labour conditions are unsatisfactory. Labour regulations have not been introduced but the new immigration control measures may result in a stiffening of the labour market to the advantage of the labourer.
PORT HEALTH Work.
37. Ships examined in emigration numbered about the same as in 1939. 81,206 emigrants were medically examined (80,611 in 1939). Sixty-six ships were detained in quarantine as against eighteen the previous year. The number of aircraft companies using Hong Kong was reduced from five to three.
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