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He concludes that plague is primarily epizootic and within a week or fortnight becomes epidemic in man.
Climatic Influences.
Dr. HUNTER does not think these have any effect on the progress or otherwise of the disease. The fact that in Hongkong the epidemics always subside when the mean daily temperature exceeds $2.° F. may be accounted for by the fact that the higher the temperature the shorter the life of the bacillus.
Prophylaxis.
The first thing appears to be to attack the rats. The recent results obtained by Professor Roux in producing an epidemic amongst rats in the Department of Charente in France by means of a virulent strain of DANYZ's bsacillus justifies one in the hope that we may yet be able to rid the Colony of these pests.
Another measure almost of as great importance to my mind is the general cleansing of the native tenements, which has been carried out so successfully in this Colony during the past two years; associated with this must be the thorough disin- fection of all infected premises.
With regard to prophylaxis, Dr. HUSTER raises the question of the possibility of the occurrence of latent cases of plague in human beings; if this be true, viz., that an individual apparently in good health may yet be harbouring enormous numbers of plague germs, one can easily understand how such an one might be scattering the germs broadcast.
I have said enough to show that this report is well worth perusal and contains evidence of much careful investigation into this disease from every point of view.
HONGKONG, 21st June, 1904.
J. M. ATKINSON, Principal Civil Medical Officer.