Month.
Cases.
303
1903 EPIDEMIC,-1,415 Cases.
Temperature. Humidity.
Sunshine.
Rain.
November,...1902,
December,
January,......1903,
February,
i
71.5
74
150-8
5.400
4
64.6
75
71.9
2.965
58-3
67
107:3
1:370
29
58.4
73
77-2
0·210
"
Mean or Total, .......
38
63.2
72.2
407-2
9.945
Table Shewing the Number of Cases of Plague known to have occurred. in the Colony for each Month from 1895 to 1903.
YEAR.
MONTH.
1895. 1896 1897 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902.
1903.
January,
49
9
1
7
1
4
February,
March,
April,
125
67
보
8
14
29
...
168
137
5
54
115
316
468
101
94 160
27
272
May,
2
344
534 421
326
701
157
515
June,
13 113
1
92
514
325
551
194
343
July, August,
September,. October, November, December,
243
52
11
7
263
209 109
131
$5
86
80 27
50
32
57
16 24
9
:
4
12
5
5
1
12
N N
2
1
2
4
2
1
11
44 1,204 21
1,320 1,486 1,087 1,651 572
1,415
RAINFALL AND WATER SUPPLY.
The rainfall for the year amounted to 93.659 inches being 3.841 inches less than in 1902 and 7-539 inches more than the average rainfall for the last twenty years.
The annual scarcity of water is a matter of the greatest hygienic importance inasmuch as the people are frequently driven to obtain water from most unde- sirable sources. Were the system of water service designed ab initio for an inter- mittent supply careful supervision could eliminate many dangers, but unfortunately we bave in Hongkong that most dangerous combination--a system designed for constant service with an intermittent supply during several months of each year. I have before, in a report on cholera at the Tung Wah Hospital in 1902, pointed the dangers of the ball valves in the street hydrants, and how they may be the means of entrance of specific infective material, and should unfortunately a water borne disease, e.g., cholera, break out in the City during our time of intermittent supply there would be many chances of the disease assuming epidemic proportions. The quality of the water as shewn by chemical analysis throughout the year has been constant and good. The result of twelve analyses shew an average analysis as follows:-
[These Tables are compiled from Monthly Reports to the Board by the Government Analyst.]
KOWLOON SERVICE.
Results expressed in grains per gallon.
Appearance in 24 inch tube,
Clear and bright.
Total solid matter dried at 212o F.,
3.65
Chlorine in chlorides,
4.75
Hardness in "degrees,"
Ammonia,
absent.
Albumenoid Ammonia,
.0003
Oxygen al sorbed in 4 hours at about 80o F.,.
.009
Nitrogen in Nitrites and Nitrates,
2014
Nitrites,
absent.
Sugar test for the detection of sewage,
Poisonous metals,
* On four occasions slightly opalescent.
negative.
absent.