397
DISTRIBUTION OF WORK.
The Sanitary Board undertook all duties in connection with the removal of sick persons to Hospital and of dead bodies to the Mortuary up to the 5th May, after this date it was found more convenient for these removals to be effected by the Police.
The Inspectors of Nuisances superintended the cleansing and disinfection of the premises and the disinfection of the clothing from the infected premises, the Police seeing to the detention of persons who had been in contact with the sick whilst the clothing was being disinfected.
The Medical Department undertook the care of the sick after the arrival at the Infectious Diseases Hospital Kennedy Town up to the 2nd May after which date all Chinese patients were allowed the option of proceeding either to the Government Hospital or to a Native Plague Hospital erected by the Tung Wah Hospital authorities with the sanction of the Government. Although the patients were treated by the so-called Chinese medical methods the sanitary arrangements were under the supervision of the Visiting Surgeon to the Tung Wah Hospital.
It was thought that if this concession was made to the Chinese it would prevent the deposition of dead plague bodies in the streets. However, as I pointed out to the Government at the time the reason why the Chinese deposited the dead plague bodies in the streets was not their fear of medical treatment in the Government Hospital but their strong objection to the disinfection and cleansing of the premises where plague patients were found.
The Public Works Department undertook the erection of additional matsheds at the Government Hospital at Kennedy Town, the preparation of graves, and the interment of the deceased. There was ample accommodation at the Government Hospital for all the cases that occurred including those that were treated at the Native Hospital.
The Sanitary Board was augmented by the following additional stuff :—
13 European Police Officers.
1 Naval Chief Petty Officer.
24 Sappers and Privates.
16 Chinese Constables.
Some 300 coolies.
STATISTICS.
The following table gives the number of cases occurring in the separate Health Districts, the ratio per 1,000 of population, and the percentage mortality :-
-
No. of Cases
District.
among Chinese.
Estimated Population Chinese only.
Rate per 1,000 of popula-
Percen-
Total Total tage Cases. Deaths. Morta-
tion.
lity.
City of Victoria
כל
"
11
No. 1 Health District No. 2 No. 3
53
7,885
6.7
59
57
96.6
153
21,626
7.0
169
161
95.2
19
29
4,294
6.7
44
37
84.0
"
"
19
}}
"
No. 4
120
23,794
5.0
135
126
92.5
35
"9
29
No. 5
110
22,244
4.9
112
102
91.0
""
15
>>
»
23
No. 6
70
17,072
4.1
72
64
88,8
19
»
5+
37
او
No. 7
87
16,380
5.3
87
68
78.1
>>
"J
"
No. 8
87
18,993
4.5
91
82
90.1
"
"
""
"
"}
No. 9
154
24,435
6.3
154
135
87.6
93
21
No. 10
76
7,527
10.0
76
68
89.4
»
"
12
"J
35
Hunghom........
.No. 11
32
29,356
4.3
34
30
88.2
19
»
Yaumati, Kowloon Pt. No. 12
96
103
******
84
81.5
"1
Victoria Peak
5
1,650
3.0
6
4
66.6
Shaukiwan
13
10,938
1.1
13
1!
84.6
Aberdeen
14
7,446
1.8
14
10
71.4
Stanley
1
2,400
0.4
1
100
Harbour
No Address
116 28
28,170
5.0
122
108
88.5
28
27
96.1
1,254
239,210
5.2 1,820 1,175
89.
Appendices.--In Appendix A. is given the cases of Plague reported during 1897.
In Appendix B. is given the meteorological observations registered at the Hongkong Observatory for the last three years.
In Appendix C. is given the report on the House to House Search Party by Honourable F. H. MAY, C.M.G.
March 7, 1899.
J. M. ATKINSON; M.B. (London), Principal Civil Medical Officer.