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Q.-Suppose a ship arrives with a large number of passengers on board- as in the cases of the Bellerophon and Orontes--with two or three cases, but the majority of the passengers are quite well, would you keep these people segregated for any time?
A. Yes, I think I should as a matter of policy.
Q.-For what time?
A.-Of course scientifically they ought to be segregated for eighteen days. At the same time it is not right to do so as it must cause great inconvenience. The best way therefore is to vaccinate them.
Q.-Suppose they object?
A.--Then we must keep them for eighteen days.
Q.-Would you make it compulsory to vaccinate?
A. Yes. It will give us protection and if they are re-vaccinated the public can have no objection to having them let loose among them.
Q.-If the people have been re-vaccinated ?
A.—I would let them go. When we consider this subject we must remember that small-pox is a contagious and infectious disease and men who have been on board a steamer for some time may contract it on the voyage from another patient or from the same source as the others have done. Is it right then to let the men go, although small-pox is endemic in the Colony? Is it right for the man's own sake to let him go simply because he did not want to be vaccinated?
Q.-I thought you said that it was no use to keep them?
A.-I think it necessary to vaccinate them.
Q. Is there any quarantine at Canton or other ports of China? A.-None whatever.
Dr. GERLACH examined.
The Chairman-How long have you been practising in Hongkong. A. Since 1870.
Q.-Have you had much experience in the shipping of the port?
A.-Yes.
Q-Since you came here can you call to mind any outbreaks of cholera on ships arriving, say, from Singapore?
A.-I never met with a case of cholera.
Q.-Any small-pox ?
A. Yes, a little.
Q. With reference to a ship arriving from a place where cholera is known to prevail what do you consider to be the proper thing to do with that ship? Take the case where there is no sickness on a three days' sail, say, from the infected port of departure should that ship on her arrival here be quarantined for any time?
A. I do not think the passengers ought to be detained if there is no case of cholera on board.
Q.-Suppose there was a case on the voyage?
A.-I would not detain the ship or passengers who were well.
Q.-None of those who were not sick?
A.-No.