CO129-611-4 Development Committee- reports on various aspects 11-12-1945 - 14-7-1947 — Page 103

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I am convinced that the study of the mutritive value of foods and the a nuisature of auch fa ́da shoul? e under the control of a Department other than a vedical one. It is essential biological and not mediosl. It is tru

It is true that nutrition has both its bio-chemical and its medical aspects and these being the mole obvione have received the most attention hut the biological aspect is in my opinion the mat fundamental. The chemist analyses foods at their components, the doctor say what essentials are

aaya missing in a sick person's diet bt it is the biologists job to see that the foods" eaten provide the essentials and thus prevent the people from becoming the doctors' patients.

Tt is in the firm belief that this is the right line of approach that I make the following suggestions.

I need not dwell on the appalling state of

malnutrition and subnutrition prevalent in the Colon, just prior to the war when 1,000 people were dying monthly from beri- eri alone Conditions then were abnormal 1eoause of the influx of refugees but even at the beat of times ma: clinioni malnutrition 18 universal amongst the poor in Mon Kons.

I propose for consideration te schemes.

I. The establishment of a Goverment Food advisory and Research

ureau. 17. The establi

ment of a

alanood Food Factory.

I. A Pood advisory and Research à rem.

1.

2.

There might be a board of directors representing different interests in the community. The chairman would be the Director of the ureau, other members might include the

the Chairman of the Urban Comail (if other than the D...), the Director of Fisheries, the Director of Agriculture, the Professor of Siology or Zoology at the "niversity and say two representatives of business firma and representatives of the medical and educational fratomity.

The Director of the ureau should be a man properì, qualified, preferabl a medieɛ1

and one trained at Nutrition Gesearch

arch tation

tation e.g. that at Conoor, . India. Host of his time would be spent in advisɔr; work but he would . have time to superviso laboratory and field research.

3.Chemist.

ne or mɔre biochemiste qualified to carry out food analyses and vitamin assays. Chinese graduates might be suitable if trained at the Lester Institute Shan,hai, the @partment of Biochemistry College of Medicine, Singapore or other recognised institute.

4. iologist. A man or woman, Chin@se or foreign, especially

qualified in Satomology could fill this post.

5.Doctor.

one or more Chinese graduates with a special bent towards nutritional research and its application, perhaps seconded by the Medical Department.

RAIN SPA

A small building with laboratories and offices

are required.

1

16