570
18
From this it will be seen that quinine is the best prophylactic, and of the two methods, if anything, the daily administration of a small dose has been followed by the best results.
Another important factor in this diminution is that the Police were in 1901 housed in permanent buildings. At Sha Tau Kok in 1900 the Police were under canvas.
Recognised precautions were more fully taken against malaria; the neighbourhood of the Police Stations were kept as free as possible of Anopheles; the Police were instructed how to recognize Anopheles pools and were shewn the methods of destroying the larvæ; all standing collections of water were as far as possible got rid of and many trees eucalyptus and others-were planted.
In August, shortly after my return, I visited the New Territory accompanied by the Captain Superintendent of Police; we inspected Tái Pó and Sha Tau Kok.
I recommended that the numerous paddy fields adjoining the Police Station at Sha Tau Kok should, if possible, be resumed and reclaimed, there is constantly stagnant water on them which forms excellent breeding places for Anopheles.
I also recommended that, to better drain the swampy grounds around the Police Stations, numbers of eucalyptus trees should be planted, what is required is to plant these trees on the damp areas at the base of the hills, not on the slopes of the hills.
Again, in October with the Acting Captain Superintendent of Police, I visited Cheung Chau, Tai O', Ping Shan and Au Tau.
As plague has been prevalent at Cheung Chau, I recommended that steps be taken to kill off the rats, which are still prevalent there; this has been done.
We arranged for the transfer of the lepers from the Swampy Island near Au Tau Police Station to the buildings erected for their habitation on the hill side opposite to their old abode; they have since been transferred and are visited weekly by the Resident Medical Officer.
77
Attached is a return marked B from Dr. THOMSON's Report on the "Examination of Mosquitoes showing the number of mosquitoes examined by him from the several Police Stations during the year ending 30th September, 1901. This conclusively shows, as was to be expected, that the station where most malarial fever cases occur, the proportion of Anopheles found is also greater.
I also enclose the Report of the Resident Chinese Medical Officer.* In my opinion there should be at least two resident Medical Officers, one for the East and another for the West of the New Territory, the one in the West might be stationed at Un Long or Ping Shan, and the one in the East as at present at Tái Pó; the work is much too arduous for one, the distances he has to travel are very great and it is practically impossible for him to do justice to the large resident population; in addition to this he can never get away on leave.
Another important requirement is a registration of births and deaths.
It must be remembered that all the Chinese living in the New Territory are British subjects and several cases of infanticide have already occurred; in order to check the native practice of abandoning their female children, some such measure is necessary.
I would suggest that each Police Station should be a place for registration.
Sha Tau Kok, Ping Shan,
Sai Kung,...
San Tin,
Tai Pó,..
Sha Tin,
Tai 0,
Au Tau, Sheung Shui,
Examination of Mosquitoes.
J. M. ATKINSON.
Specimens
received.
Anopheles. Caler.
..4,428
14
3.987
251
12
233
648
8
544
916
14
823
.. 819
191
618
662
48
529
251
12
233
1:853
113
1,728
829
10
805
* Sce Appendix No. 4.