447
The opening of the new depôts for Sheep and Swine and the New Slaughter House at Kennedy Town on the 1st of January, 1895, resulted in the abolition of the old Slaughter House. On the opening of the new depôts, the practice of housing Sheep and Swine in houses in various parts of the native quarters was abolished.
No cases of serious communicable disease were observed amongst the animals imported and the health of the animals in the depôts was good during the year..
EXISTENCE OF PLAGUE IN THE VICINITY OF HONGKONG, 1895.
On the 7th January Surgeon-Major WESTCOTT reported to the Government that he had proceeded to Tungkun on 27th ultimo to investigate what was said to be an outbreak of Bubonic Plague. His conclusions were:
(1) That there have been sporadic cases of the disease during November and part of
December in Canton, Fatshan, Sheklung and Tungkun.
(2) That no cases have been found by anybody during the last fortnight.
(3) That all those who reported the cases in December can find none now.
(4) That it is evident that the poison lingers in the district, but whether it will again cause an epidemic will depend on the Sanitary surroundings and climatic conditions which it will encounter.
MACAO.
Information of the existence of Plague in Macao-was obtained in March and on the 9th of April, Dr. Lowson visited Macao and his report dated April 13th contains the following information :—
"That the disease was and had been for 2 months prevalent in that Portuguese Colony. During the last two months there have been several deaths from "Foul gas fever." The deaths from the same cause have increased during the last two weeks at the Chinese Hospital, ranging from 6 to 12 daily. These were all said to be from "Foul gas fever," I saw four cases of this "Foul gas fever" and they proved to be well marked cases of Plague ; one of which died whilst I was present. Two people had died suddenly the day before from the same cause.
The cases I saw presented typical plague buboes and had well marked cerebral symp-
toms."
On the 23rd April His Excellency the Governor by a Proclamation prohibited the immigration and importation into the Colony of all Chinese from the Port of Macao and from the Island of Hainan. This was revoked by order of the Governor in Council on the 22nd June so far as the Island of Hainan was concerned.
CANTON, SWATOW.
Information of the existence of plague in Canton and Swatow was received from Her Majesty's Consuls on the 25th April.
The Medical Officer of Health for the Port was instructed to maintain a strict medical super- vision of the passengers and crews of all vessels arriving from Canton and Swatow.
On the 30th April the Governor in Council prohibited immigration and importation into this Colony of all Chinese from Swatow until further notice.
This Proclamation was revoked on the 22nd day of June.
The Proclamation prohibiting the immigration of Chinese into the Colony from the Colony of Macao was revoked by order of the Governor in Council on the 30th July.
DISTRIBUTION OF WORK.
The work in connection with the outbreak of plague was distributed, as follows:—
The Sanitary Board undertook all duties in connection with the removal of plague cases to Hospital, the subsequent isolation of those who had been in immediate contact with the disease and the disinfection of premises.
The Medical Department undertook the care of the sick after the arrival in hospital, and The Public Works Department undertook the erection of the necessary temporary buildings, the preparation of graves, the interment of the deceased, and the clearing and cleansing of declared districts.
The staff acting under the instructions of the Sanitary Board was augmented by the appointment of a Medical Officer of Health on the 25th of April, the appointment of an Assistant Secretary and Sanitary Superintendent and by the loan of the services of 24 Police und 15 Soldiers.