ENG-1954 — Page 153

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1954

In addition to these control measures, investigations were continued to determine the level of immunity of the rural population in the New Territories, and the possible value of DDT as a residual spray in the control of rural malaria. Further progress was also made in the study of the effectiveness of several new larvicides.

468 malaria cases were notified, 18 of which were Europeans. Of these 18, only three were found to have contracted the disease in the controlled area. The incidence of clinical malaria in the New Territories remained low but it was highest among non-immune immigrants from other areas. The immunity which has been developed by the populace of the New Terri- tories through residence among the partially immune immigrant Shanghai and Honan workers was main- tained.

The health of the British troops in the New Territories on protective paludrine remained good, and no resistance to this drug was noted.

Social Hygiene Service. In addition to the routine facilities for treating the social diseases, a service providing free blood tests for all patients of midwives in private practice is available.

Maternal and Child Health.

There were 17 centres concerned with maternal and child health at the begin- ning of the year, another was started in May when the Maurine Grantham clinic was opened at Tsun Wan in the New Territories.

Emergency services were provided for expectant mothers rendered homeless by squatter fires and in a special emergency maternity hospital 150 babies were

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