THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12TH MAY, 1866.
The Gaol dietary for Europeans is as follows in lbs. and fractions:
Dread
Beef or Pork
Potatoes or Vegetables
Tea
Sugar
Salt
Soap
Firewood
1
Z
1
346
34
2
193
1. the Gaol cells in which 3 men are located (Chinese) the cubic space is 990 cubic feet and average the same in all. the cell for Europeans when there is but one prisoner the cubic space is about 660. The women have more.
ample ventilation in all.
There is
26th March, 1866.
Dr. O'BRIEN was Surgeon of the Civil Hospital from July 1865 to end of February 1866--had a number of Febrile cases under treatment last year; found some in July when he took charge--believes the first case appeared in April or May-- does not know where the patients came from-believes there might have been about 60 admissions--the greater number were Chinese and brought into Hospital in a moribund state, in the most part. Among those admitted about 8 were Europeans-of whom some belonged to the Police force.
The symptoms of those whom I saw in the first stage-were first, rigors, followed by Pyrexia and nausea-Bowels generally constipated, Tongue dry not much coated--Urine scanty high colored yellow-tested it and found it contained Bile-did not find albumen. The skin was dry at first and after 21 to 36 hours became yellow-did not observe any petecchio a partially comatose state set in early. Observed in one case Delirium of a continuous nature. Observed Hemorrhagic discharges from the Bowels at a late period of the disease. Frontal head-ache but not very acute-did not observe any thing like black vomit in the patient while alive under my observation--did not observe relapses to occur --but as a rule discharged patients when apparently well.
Have been in the West Indies and witnessed cases of Yellow Fever during an Epidemic in 1849 in Havannah. I suppose some 5 or 6 in number. In 1853, saw some cases also in Philadelphia among sailors at the Pensylvania Hospital, who had arrived from Charleston, where Yellow Fever prevailed epidemically at the time; some died; in one case there was Black vomit.
*
When he first saw this disease considered it to be Bilious Fever; has seen yellowness of the skin in such cases, but as he would.
expect a remission of the symptoms in such a disease, and not finding in the one under consideration, he came to the conclusion that it was not the ordinary Bilious Remittent Fever. Observed no remission.
Did not observe any Proof of contagion.
Found the Liver to be yellow (in Philadelphia) and mottled, spleen natural, stomach congested.
PUST-MORTEM EXAMINATION IN HONGKONG, Made several Post-mortem examinations in some serous fluid in ventricles of Brain, chest healthy except in one case; spots of Ecchymosis on surface of heart. Heart empty. Venous blood fluid. ADDOMEN, Liver pale, yellow, somewhat enlarged when saw in some cases greatly, surface mottled sometimes. Gall Bladder
in most cases contained a thin bilious matter.
STOMACH in nearly all the Bodies sent for inspection from the Gaol contained a quantity of greenish black fluid. Mucous membrane congested especially near the Pylorns. Kidneys sometimes congested, Bladder generally empty; in one case contained chocolate colored Urine; Spleen in nearly all the cases I examined at first very inuch enlarged, in two more recent cases did not observe the splenic enlargement.
27th March, 1866.
CAPTAIN QUIN, Superintendent of Police for nearly 4 years; is aware that there was unusual sickness among the destitute Chinese last year. In consequence of the numerous funerals and complaints, orders were given that the funerals of those who died Westward of the Parade ground should take place on the Sea face of Mount Davis and those Eastward in the Old Chinese Cemetery Wongueichong or the Happy Valley; and that all interments should take place in the morning before 7 o'clock and in the afternoon not before 6 F.M
Inows that the mortality among the destitute Chinese was very considerable as the expenses for their interments exceeded the
ordinary Estimate by more than double.
The sickness to the best of my recollection commenced early in the summer and continued throughout.
Thinks the mortality took place chiefly in the Western Chinese quarter of the town in Taipingshan and to the Westward of it.
Observed the bodies for the most part to be in a state of extreme emaciation.
Prisoners awaiting trial are kept in the Police Cells, from Saturday evening till Monday. Has not known one prisoner die in
the Police Cells.
Mr. ELLIS, Inspector of Nuisances, has held the appointment about 12 months, thinks since February 1865. Knows a place called Taipingshan and the district to the Westward; thinks the extent is about a mile in length and the same in breadth; this comprehends the greater part of the district inhabited by the lowest order of Chinese.
Has frequently inspected the sanitary condition of this district, considors it to be a very dirty place; the drains leading from the houses to the main drains are occasionally out of repair but not generally. The dirty state of this district is owing to rubbish of all kinds being thrown into the street. There are no water closets, the excrement is taken away in buckets from the houses, in some instances deposited in reservoirs; one large one is near the New Theatre. The order is that this deposit should take place before 8 A.M. but this is not strictly adhered to; does not consider the sanitary state of this district has improved, owing to the dirty habits of the people, and the difficulty of obtaining Summonses, as also from the lenient nature of the sentences of the Magistrates.
Has been found fault with by the Magistrates for bringing before then so many very poor people who could not afford to pay fines, this has occurred several times, men have been frequently discharged as the Magistrate considered them to be too poor to pay a fine and that it was duty with the assistance of the convicts to keep the place clean. The Magistrate Las
repeated this several times and witness finds that for these reasons he is unable to do his duty at all.
ever did apply for the assistance of convicts, over whom he has no control; has a certain number of men under his orders to Sweep the streets and clean the Dust Bins-some 30 in number-it takes from Gunfire to 9 o'clock A.M., to clean Dust Bins alone, after 9 A.M. they sweep the streets and are told off in parties to clear away the rubbish, these men are too few in number to do their duty properly, would require 100 men at least for this purpose and further superintendence; considers that if the Police did their duty properly, there would be less cause of complaint as regards the dirty state of the district alluded to. Has been 10 years in Hongkong.
Was not aware of unusual sickness in this district last year.
The Police neglected their duty in not obliging the house
keepers to sweep the rubbish from the neighbourhood of their houses and carry it to the nearest dust bins.