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The allusion to an insanitary state of tenements, in the opinion of the Com- mittee, presents the danger of cholera from within, not from external sources, which quarantine is supposed to guard against; while the inability of the Executive to carry out an effective inspection of all vessels, native or foreign, renders the present system not only futile but dangerous, inasmuch as it engenders a sense of security which does not exist, an ineffectual quarantine being, as is well recognised, worse than useless.
In the above objections no argument is to be found in support of, or proving the necessity for, or desirability of quarantine, nor can they detract from the weight of the fact, now generally recognised, that quarantine is powerless to prevent the invasion of cholera.
That this must especially be the case in Hongkong, owing to the natural situation and surroundings of the Colony, has already been pointed out by the Committee.
The only safeguard for this Colony consists of effective sanitary measures, among which is to be included the completion of the necessary buildings for the reception of patients arriving in the waters of this Colony infected with cholera, in the absence of which the alternative regulations, intended to take the place of those at present in force, must necessarily be delayed.
The Committee would also call special attention to the reference made by the Secretary of State to the insanitary condition of Hongkong, a statement in which the Committee do not concur; but if from official information communicated to him the Secretary of State has just cause to refer to the Colony in such manner, the Committee cannot urge too strongly, apart from considerations bearing upon quarantine, the necessity for the immediate adoption by the Colonial Government of such measures as may lead to the speedy removal of the stigma from the Colony. How vexatious and oppressive a burden to shipping interests the present system of quarantine has been in the past, and. will continue to be so long as the present restrictions are maintained, has been forcibly represented by this Chamber in previous correspondence.
Quarantine is but a superfluous and ineffectual measure, a burden of no practical utility. Having regard to the serious inconvenience and loss entailed upon shipping by the present system, and to the fact that no argument in its favour has yet been advanced, but that, on the contrary, the whole weight of eminent scientific opinion is adverse to it, the Committee earnestly trust that the Colonial Government may yet give this question their reconsideration, and adopt such alternative regulations as were recommended by this Chamber in April, 1885.- I have, &c.,
(2.)
W. KESWICK, Chairman.
Acting Colonial Secretary, to Chairman, Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
No. 331.
Sir,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 4th March, 1886.
I am directed by His Excellecy the Officer Administering the Government to inform you that your letter of 25th January last, asking the Colonial Government to modify the present quarantine regulations, has been very carefully considered by the Sanitary Board, by the Naval and Military Authorities, who are equally in- terested with the Colonial Govenment in averting the introduction of epidemic disease, and finally by the Executive Council at a meeting at which Commodore MORANT, R.N., was invited to assist, in order that he might, as Senior Naval Officer, be able to express his views, as well as the Major-General Commanding the Troops, on this important subject.
2. The unanimous decision which has been arrived at is that, whilst it is necessary to maintain the provisions subjecting vessels arriving from ports or places proclaimed as infected to strict inspection by the Health Officer before they are admitted to pratique, the period of quarantine or observation may, as regards cho- lera, be reduced from five days to three. The regulations have been amended accordingly, and I enclose a copy for your information. (Govt. Not. No. 77 of 1886.) 3. The building at Stone Cutters' Island for the reception of persons affected with contagious or infectious diseases will be completed as soon as possible.