258. The laboratory is situated in the central district of Victoria in the same building which houses the Department of Commerce & Industry. It is well-equipped and it is only rarely that work has to be declined because the means to under- take it are not available.
259. In spite of the current trade recession, the volume of work in the laboratory increased during the year and it is of interest that the number of commercial samples was only some 10% less than the number examined in the most prosperous years following the war. The continuing high level of commercial examinations is occasioned by the requirements of the authorities on the mainland of China for certificates of genuineness and quality from the Chemical Laboratory for a large variety of imports, notably drugs and chemicals. The table below summarizes analyses and examinations performed by the Government Laboratory in 1952, compared with the previous year:
TABLE 6
1957
Public Health
8,307
1952 9,256
Chemico-legal
700
Commercial
1,841
815 1,830
Revenue Control, Narcoties, Strategic
Materials
6,400
Miscellaneous Government Work
320
6.057 284
Total
17,568
18,861
Almoners
260. The staff of this sub-department consisted of the Principal Almoner, three Almoners and thirteen Assistant Almoners, distributed among the department's hospitals and other institutions. Great demands were placed upon this staff and, in certain instances, they worked in less than adequate accommodation. Nevertheless, much good work was done. The resignation of the Principal Almoner and one Assistant Almoner increased the difficulties of the sub-department during the latter part of the year. In the following paragraphs, brief reference is made to the medical-social work undertaken.
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Rehabilitation of Persons Discharged from the Leper Settlement.
261. In September, 1952, with the closing of the temporary leper settlement on Hong Kong Island and the transfer of the institution to the island of Hay Ling Chau, the almoners were faced with the difficult task of assisting 40 persons, considered to be cured, who were not transferred to the new settlement and were thus discharged. In spite of very great efforts, it was only possible to find employment for very few of these people, în view of the prejudice against leprosy among the local inhabitants.
Artificial Limbs and Other Surgical Appliances.
262. Since the establishment of the Orthopaedic Depart- ment, more appliances were made for and supplied to patients. During the year, splints, belts or supports, artificial legs. artificial eyes and calipers, costing a total of $2,328.00, were provided to patients.
Repatriation.
263. In prevailing circumstances, it has been virtually im- possible to repatriate Chinese patients to their native villages in China and the only persons to be repatriated as a result of the almonera' activities were two elderly British ladies who were sent to a nursing home in the United Kingdom.
Financial Assistance.
264. The almoners are able to provide financial assistance to those in need from the Samaritan Fund and a departmental vote for the after-care of tuberculosis patients. During the year, the amounts disbursed from these two sources amounted to $21,192.00 and $68,930.00 respectively.
Employment.
265. An important activity of the almoners is to assist former patients to obtain suitable employment, a difficult matter today in view of the overcrowding in the Colony and the present economic recession. In spite of these difficulties, however, up to 40 persons were assisted in obtaining employment in Govern- ment Departments and with private firms throughout the year.
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