241. Sanitary inspections and health education activities were maintained at the same level as the previous year. Table 21 sets out a comparative statement of the work done in 1958 and 1959 by the Dental Service.
242, is of interest to record the improvement in heights and weights amongst school children in 1955 compared to those at school in pre-war years. These figures which have only recently come to light are illustrated in graphic form in Figures 4 and 5.
FIGURE 4
Average Height of Hong Kong Schoolchildren 1940 & 1955
+--
Peelbarr
Aga
་
1963 Narmal
Pro-Wue "Good Schrenka'
Pro-Kur “Pour Bichoak”
TQ-
"Good Schools"
'Poor Schools'
11
T
1.3
FIGURE S
Average Weight of Hong Kong
Schoolchildren 1940 & 1935
- Ub
50--
1955 Normal
B PaTu Good School"
Pre-War "Pace Schank
10
11
JE
11
refer to nutritional status amongst fee paying pupils from higher income groups,
refer to nutritional status amongst pupils from the lower income groups who paid either nominal or no fees.
INDUSTRIAL HEALTHI
243. The rapid expansion of industry in Hong Kong during the last ten years has created a number of new health problems. The health of workers in factories and in other industrial undertakings is the statutory responsibility of the Commissioner of Labour. In October. 1954, a start was made towards the organization of an Industrial Health
5K
Section by the secondment of a specially-trained Medical Officer to the Labour Department. Since then, the Industrial Health Section has expanded and its work now covers most aspects of the problem in the Colony. Investigations are made into the working environments of the trades known to be hazardous to health, first aid facilities in factories have been developed and the medical supervision of workers in certain dangerous trades such as those dealing with lead or radio-active powders has been instituted. while two Health Visitors carry out individual case work on injured persons claiming compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance.
244. During the year, one more occupational disease came to light. namely "brassfounder's ague": the disease is caused by exposure to zinc fumes and its effect, though unpleasant, is only temporary,
245. With the co-operation of private practitioners and Government Medical Officers, cases of silicosis and industrial dermatitis are notified to the Industrial Health Section, while surveys of the environmental working conditions in quarries and stone grinding factories continue and further X-ray surveys have been carried out on quarry workers. A clinical survey has also been conducted on all bitumen workers in one of the Government quarries; no sign of skin reactions to bitumen was observed,
246. The serious effects of over-exposure to certain insecticides have caused world wide concern; consequently workers in the Pest Control Unit of the Urban Services Department and officers of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry working in close contact with these insecticides were medically examined and blood cholinesterase estimations were carried out. No evidence of any toxic effect was recorded.
247. Lectures are given on Industrial Health to probationer Labour Inspectors, Health Visitors, and Medical Students of the Hong Kong University. The Industrial Health Officer also took part in a course of Industrial Relations organized by the Labour Department, giving lectures on certain physiological and psychological aspects of indus- trialization.
HEALTH EDUCATION
248. A better appreciation by the Colony's population of the basic principles of hygiene and preventive medicine continues to be the main
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