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456. In the past much difficulty was experienced on account of concealment of previous ill health and of substitution of another individual for the medical examination. A revised and improved form of medical examination record was introduced in August 1957 and this contains a declaration by the candidate that previous ill health has not been concealed. Only two cases of significant concealment came to light during the year and only two cases of substitution were detected. 457. Attendance by candidates who have been rejected on a previous occasion and who re-appear under an alias was not infrequent in the past. The necessity to produce an Identity Card with the relevant application form appears to have solved this problem.

458. The Board now holds the medical examination records of some 62,000 persons who have been examined since the inception of the Board on 1st March, 1952. All these records have been microfilmed and sent for storage in safe custody.

459. Auxiliary Defence Units account for some 5,000 examinations each year, and in 1957 the Board undertook the additional responsibility for the two yearly chest X-ray examination of all Defence Units personnel. Unfortunately this proved to be impracticable and the arrangement has had to be suspended indefinitely.

460. Redundancy in H.M. Dockyard, and in War Department, and R.A.F. establishments has led to large numbers of their employees being sent for examination as to their fitness to enter Government service. This required additional staff and accommodation for the Board to deal with the increased work, if serious delay was to be avoided. The arrangements worked smoothly and there was no signifi- cant hold up in the examination of the redundant employees who presented themselves.

Blood Banks

461. There are two Blood Banks in the Colony situated at the Queen Mary and Kowloon Hospitals. The Hong Kong Branch of the British Red Cross Society operates a donation centre in premises on the Hong Kong waterfront. The Society undertakes the necessary propaganda, collection and distribution of blood to the Banks and this aspect of the Society's work is supported by a subvention from Govern- ment. Blood is also contributed directly to the Banks by voluntary

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donors and relatives and friends of patients, but almost 70% of the total blood collected during the year was obtained through the efforts of the Red Cross Society.

462. It is estimated that a minimum of 6,000 pints of blood will be required annually if modern criteria for the therapeutic use of blood are to be followed. During the year 4.211 pints of blood, the greater part of which came from the Armed Services, were taken into the Blood Banks. There is a traditional reluctance on the part of the Chinese to donate blood to Blood Banks but there is a small band of regular donors. It is hoped that the influence and example of this devoted group will gradually overcome a traditional hesitation to give blood.

The Pharmaceutical Service

463. The Central Medical Store is situated at North Point on Hong Kong Island with a branch in Kowloon. The main function of the service is the supply of drugs, pharmaceuticals, dressings and instru- ments to Medical Department institutions. A considerable amount of bulk manufacturing is carried on at North Point and Kowloon; from these two centres the smaller institutions are supplied with a variety of pharmaceuticals ready for use. The larger institutions have their own bulk dispensing arrangements. The best equipped pharmacy is at the Queen Mary Hospital where almost every aspect of pharmaceutical manufacture is covered.

464. There was a notable increase during the year in the use of parenteral fluids and over 83,000 litres of intravenous fluids were manufactured. Over 45,000 bottles of injections were also made up for bulk use in large and busy out-patient departments. This particular aspect of the work will increase when the new premises in the Govern- ment Stores building are occupied in 1958.

465. The Chief Pharmacist, who is responsible for the working of the service, also has important duties in connexion with the working of the Dangerous Drugs and the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinances. These duties include the inspection and licensing of premises used for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and for the retail trade. In addition the Inspectorate staff keeps a close watch on the import of dangerous drugs and the records of distribution and sale. A record of the work done is at Table 33. The considerable drop in the number of inspections was due to shortage of inspectors as a result of retirement and of

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