25.
In spite of this,
Pulmonary tuberculosis has always been with the Chinese. they do not seem to have acquired any high degree of immunity to the infection. The universal habit of spitting has been largely responsible for spreading infection and, in addition, post-war conditions are highly favourable to its spread. areas are already becoming grossly overcrowded and there has been for years no
Urban supervision of dwelling houses or tenements. favourable conditions can be re-established.
It will take many months before m In addition, resistance is low on account of the privations endured although this is improving with better feeding. Not only is the coolie class population widely affected but also the clerical group. Clerks and their families who have been living outside Hong Kong during the occupation are returning in increasing numbers and many of them, together with those remaining in Hong Kong, are probably affected. The cases that come to notice can only form a small proportion of the total that exists. There are no clinics for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, nor any sanitoria. tuberculosis are not said to be prevalent in Hong Kong.
Other forms of
The incidence of venereal disease amongst the civil population in the Colony is out of all proportion to its occurrence before the occupation. position altered for the worse in the later stages of the occupation and some of
Apparently the the infections in the New Territories, where the incidence used not to be high, attributed to the introduction of the infection by Japanese troops coming from other
is areas, such as Singapore. It must be remembered that there has been no treatment whatever available for these people until after our re-entry. The evidence collected at V.D. clinics shows that, instead of the pre-war ratio of three cases of gonorrhoea to one of syphilis, the proportions now are nearly equal, while there is a high percentage of dual infections. There are four clinics in the Colony solely for the treatment of venereal disease; each with male and female sections, and venereal disease is also treated at the out-patient clinics in the various hospitals. The position in regard to treatment in this Colony is more favourable than that found in many other British territories. venereal disease and V.D. clincs
There is no stigma attached to are undoubtedly popular, with attendances increas- ing rapidly. For example, weekly figures for the female social Hygiene clinic at Tsim Sha Tsui show that, while in the week ending 30th September there were only ten new cases, the average weekly attendance in November was almost four times the Scptember figure. Most cases, howeyer, are only seen at a later stage when inconvenient or painful symptoms occur. No charge whatever is made for treatment at V.D. clinics. The Civil Authorities have been handicapped in treating the se cases by the shortage of drugs and, had it not been for the help of the Services, little or nothing could have been done. Colonel Felily wants a first class specialist venereal disease Officer and drugs; obtain urgently.
both of these he is trying to
The
Other diseases seen are beri-beri, ulcers and various forms of anaemia. ulcers are mostly associated with the long absence of medical facilities and with malnutrition; they are very prevalent. Anaemia is associated primipally with malaria, malnutrition and helminthic infections. This anaemia should improve gradually with treatment for the associated conditions.
People in this Colony appreciate the benefits of Western medicine and come freely to dispensaries. It is obvious that they trust those who are caring for them and, on the other hand, there is a reciprocal keenness, and often enthusiasm, on the part of the native staff at the various dispensaries. recruited staff have the trust and confidence of those whom they are looking after,
The United Kingdom and all this goes a long way in the restoration of better conditions.
Comparatively little evidence of frank malnutrition is seen in the Colony but there is undoubtedly a high incidence of under-nutrition. following conditions of occupation.
This is inevitable The results are evident in the lowered capacity for work both of the clerical staffs and among coolies; the former get readily tired and are incapable of prolonged concentrated effort and the coolie class have only a limited capacity for physical work. conditions of feeding and happier conditions generally, these deficiencies are
However, with better di sappearing. Diets are becoming more balanced and many of the supplementary articles of food that make a meal attractive have come back. The main shortage is of good fats. Soya bean, with its high fat and protein content, is not unpopular in South China but it has not got the same vogue as in Northern China, although a good deal of bean curd is consumed. Lieutenant Colonel Wilkinson, the Medical Officer in charge of Kowloon, is at present conducting a nutritional survey among
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