X1000307-1957-58_Part02 — Page 1

were made systematically on the quality of exports, notably textiles and jewellery, especially in respect of misdescriptions of articles for which Imperial Preference Certificates were requested. A total of 5,156 articles were also examined for duty assessment, mostly liquors, tobacco. perfume, paints and proprietary medicines.

424. The Industrial Health Officer sent in 132 samples for examina- tion in connexion with atmospheric pollution, industrial diseases, particularly plumbism, and industrial accidents.

425. The Stores Department requested that examinations of a great variety of materials from local sources should be undertaken for the guidance of Tender Boards. This work, now being undertaken systematically, has effected considerable savings in public funds.

426. Examinations have also been made of inflammable goods to support prosecutions by the Fire Brigade. Ships fuel storage spaces have been examined for dangerous gases on behalf of the Marine Department and the Admiralty, Food analyses are carried out on samples submitted by the Health Inspectorate of the Urban Services Department. For the Army, large numbers of paint and concrete samples have been analyzed in connexion with the placing of contracts locally. Samples of an extremely wide range of materials have also been analyzed for commercial firms. These materials include ores, metals, food, drugs, water, enamel ware, firecrackers, textiles, oils, detergents and insecticides.

427. The Biochemistry section dealt with 13,488 clinical analyses from Government and private hospitals and private practitioners. The following Table shows the work done during 1957;

Specimens received:

Blood

TABLE 31

BIOCHEMICAL EXAMINATIONS

Cerebrospinal fluid

Gastric Contents

Stools

Urine

Miscellaneous

7,748 1,669

3,499

119

302

161

13,488

BO

OTHER ANCILLARY SERVICES

The Almoner Service

428. This Medico-Social Service expanded considerably during the year. Quite apart from the rapidly increasing total of attendances at Government medical centres there is a sharply increasing awareness of the part played by the Almoner in the social aspects of medical work. Doctors are making much more use of the Service and Almoners now participate in ward rounds and in discussions on the solutions of the social problems which are a part of any plan of treatment.

429. The Principal Almoner is responsible for this Division of the Department and she is assisted by seven Almoners and twenty one Assistant Almoners. Two Assistant Almoners resigned and seven new entrants were recruited for training in the Assistant Almoner grade.

430. Two new Almoners' Offices were opened during 1957, making a total of fourteen offices. The service was also extended to include visits to the Grantham Hospital for tuberculosis and the Sandy Bay Convalescent Home.

431. During the Asian flu' epidemic a great deal of home care advice was given to patients in an attempt to limit the duration of the illness and, where possible, the spread of infection. The transfer of patients from the Victoria Mental Hospital to the new wards at Castle Peak entailed special arrangements for the visiting of patients by relatives and for maintaining the contact of the Almoners with the relatives. The Mental Health Association gave valuable assistance with Transport so that aged and frail relatives were able to pay a monthly visit to Castle Peak.

432. The provision of proper surgical appliances for needy patients has been a problem for many years past. In liaison with the University Orthopaedic Unit the Almoner Service arranged for the training of a rattan appliances maker and a belt maker. The staff of the Orthopaedic Unit supervised the technical training and the Almoner Service supplied the materials and arranged for the sale, supply and payment of the finished articles. The rattan appliances maker is now capable of providing crutches, calipers, splints and spinal braces to a satisfactory standard and the belt maker is doing likewise with surgical corsets. colostomy belts, back supports and pelvic halters. In this way, appli- ances ordered by the medical staff can be supplied at a reasonable price and without serious delay. For those too poor to pay for

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