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286. A considerable amount of the almoners' time is devoted in attempts to make arrangements for the return to China of persons domiciled there. In the circumstances of today this is a difficult task indeed.

287. A Samaritan Fund which is maintained by voluntary donations is dispersed by the almoners and during the year this source provided $3,743, which was mainly used to enable patients to attend hospital for treatment and to help establish those discharged from hospital. These sums are in addition to the $100,000 dispersed by the tuberculosis almoner to which reference has already been made in this report.

Radiological

288. This sub-department is under the charge of the Senior Radiologist who had throughout the year a staff of one radio- logist, 7 Medical and Assistant Medical Officers performing radio- logical duties, I Superintendent Radiographer, 10 radiographers and 17 radiographic assistants. In addition, the physiotherapy staff, consisting of 10 physiotherapists and assistant physio- therapists and une occupational therapist, was the administru- tive responsibility of the Senior Radiologist.

289. A further increase in the work of this sub-department was evident during the year and it suffered seriously from the general overcorwding which was a problem in ao many other sections of the Medical Department. The work of this sub- department falls into the following sections:-

290. Radio-Diagnostic-The work of the diagnostic section again increased substantially. A total of 195,673 investigationa were carried out as compared with 141,694 in the previous year. Ry far the greater part of this increase was accounted for by the increased activity of the mass miniature X-ray survey conducted by the Mobile Unit, but all other centres and investigations showed a general increase as well. Certain new diagnostic

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equipment was installed during the year but there is still equip- ment in use which should be replaced and arrangements have been made for this to be effected during the forthcoming financial year.

291. Radio-Therapeutic-The work of this section was con- siderably hampered by the breakdown of the only deep X-ray therapy machine available to the Department which was out of action for almost half the year. The total number of deep X-ray and superficial therapy treatments given was 138.

292. In June 1953 & 24.9 Curie Radio-Cobalt Telecurie Unit was brought into operation in the Queen Mary 1Iospital, an event which created considerable interest in overseas territories and led to a number of inquiries from neighbouring countries. This useful piece of apparatus was used particularly for the treatment of naso-pharyngeal carcinoma which occur in relatively high percentage among the peoples of South China. The number of persons treated during the year was 31.

293. Physiotherapeutic-The volume of work carried out by this section also showed an increase, 56,764 treatments provided as compared with 47,176 in the previous year. Again, this section was to a great extent hampered by the inadequacy of the accommodation available in the Queen Mary Hospital. but at the end of the period under review preparations were being made for the transfer of the section to the very adequate accommodation provided in the new clinic to which reference has already been made.

294. Occupational Therapy-During the period under review for the first time the Department had available to it a qualified occupational therapist and a satisfactory start was, made with this work in which a number of voluntary workers participated in the Queen Mary Hospital, Lai Chi Kok Hospital and the Mental Hospital. Again, limitations of space seriously hamper- ed this work, but its scope will be greatly widened by the space provided in the new cllaic building.

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