( 82 )
934. Then the rubbish fever is bilious intermittent?
A. Yes. It may be either intermittent, bilious remittent, or malarial fever.
935.-And that from the sugar bags an so on is intermittent?
A.--Illness arising from decomposing filth, sugar, vegetable, or animal matter, might be intermittent, bilious remittent, or malarial fever. The mingling of the fresh and salt waters, with the vegetable and animal matter, would I think have a tendency to create malaria.
936.-How long do you think it would take to drain the valley below Richmond Terrace?
A.--From two to three months.
937.-It could be done before the hot season then?
A. Yes.
938.--Would the expense be great?
A. No, I don't think it would.
By Dr. Cantlie.
939.-Would it not do a great deal to flush the present sewers, too, if that water drained into them? You would have it turned into the present sewers, would you not? A. Yes. Ten years ago every drain was an underground drain and not a sewer, then the subsoil was thoroughly drained because all the joints were open and the water percolated through them. In order to adapt them for the sewage they have been filled in with cement and are now impervious to water.
940.-That is to say the old ones were all drains as distinct from sewers?
A. Yes; they were under ground drains. Ten or twelve years ago Hongkong was perhaps the best drained city in the world. Every drain carried away the under- ground water.
By Dr. Manson.
941.-Could you suggest any inexpensive way of covering over newly turned earth so as to prevent the effusion of malarial poisoning from it?
A.--You could turf it over.
By Dr. Cantlie.
942. Is that better than concrete?
A.-No, I would not say it is better.
943. Is it cheaper?
A. Yes.
944. Are you acquainted with the drain running to the sea from the foot of the road that leads up to Richmond Terrace?
A. I know nothing of it. I know the drain from Bonham Road to the sea. The other parts have all been made recently.