Marok47, 18973.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. ~
| might extend to nine days, but was usually three to six days only. Similar observations were, generally speaking, made in 1896 It was for the most part impossible to obtain pre- cise information as to when and in what man ner Chinese patients were infected. In one case an incubation period of fifteen days must be assumed. This was the case of a Chinese who on May 25th 1896, was imprisoned in the English jail; being then in good health. On June 10th he was suddenly taken ill with typical symptoms of bubonic plague, and he died of the disease on June 15th. During the course of the illness, plague bacilli were found in the blood; and the autopsy showed inflammatory swelling of the inguinal glands of both sides up to the size of a hazel-nut. Culture experiments demonstrated the presence of plague bacilli in the spleen and the glands. The jail was at the time, and remained, free from other cases of plague.”
The conclusion of the report is as follows:- "From the experience gained in the epidemic of plague in 1896, the following conclusions may be drawn.
ue was widely prevalent, oting the presence of the the ells from ster, The infected low level, so that the brim, and it was contami- of surface water from all any of the people washed alothing in this well. The situated on elevations, and to contamination, because in the surface water could not flow and in the second place the water in tood four yards below the brim. Chinese caz a rale drink boiled water infection may readily take place by drinking and eating utensils and other washed in contaminated water. The infection of the water of rivers and beurs by means of drains conveying the plague bacilli, and by means of people living on junks,ɛseems highly probable, In Hong- kong from January to September, 1896, those dwelling on boats in the harbour suffered from plague in proportion to their numbers to the same extent as those living on shore. I was "Plague is to be regarded as a specific, acute, unable to detect the plague bacillus in the infectious disease, characterised by a severe water of Hongkong harbour, which is subject general febrile state, by inflammatory swelling to rapid renewal by strong tides. It is, how-of the internal and external lymphatic glands, ever, conceivable that close to the shore, where by swelling of the spleen, by parenchymatous the boats are often left dry by the ebb, and changes in the liver and kidneys, and by in- where the water stagnates in corners, centres flammatory changes in the cerebral membranas. of infection may here and there be set up by The disease is caused by a specifle bacillus. contamination, with slop-water from the land or by cases of plague in the boats themselves, and that from these centres those living on the boats may in turn suffer. Further, a large number of the Chinese junks take their water from a small_stream about four yards wide, which flows through the Chinese village of Lai-chi-kok, in the neighbourhood of Yau- ma-ti; this stream can very readily have been contaminated with the plague bacillus, for many cases of plague occurred in the village, and the inhabitants wash their clothing and all kinds of implemente and utensils in the stream, "It may be positively affirmed that the plague bacillus was not disseminated by the public water-supply of Hongkong, for Chinese and Europeans alike make use of this water, and among the latter there were only sixteen cases of plague.
"In favour of the view that the plague bacillas is taken into the system by means of the food is the fact that frequently in a house the members of one family only were attacked, while the other inhabitants of the house re mained free from the disease, Further, in China, food and fruits of all kinds are every. where hawked and bought in the streets, especi; ally'smong the poorer classes, and this practice, on account of the excessively filthy state of the markets and other places of sale, entails great danger of the diffusion of infectious disorders."
To prevent the importation of the contagium Dr. Wilm recommends the medical inspection of ships, the isolation of patients suffering from the disease, the disinfection of articles that have come in contact with the patients, inspec- tion of the food supply, and other precautions.
The following measures of private hygiene are recommended :-----
"The measures to be taken by individuals ith a view to avoiding the infection of plague consist, first, in care that no plague bacilli gain entrance to the body by contaminated wounds of the skin or by contaminated articles of food and drink; and, secondly, in a regular mode of life without excesses in eating and drinking.
With regard to the first point, the body should be frequently cleansed by baths, the s should be washed often, and the most nificant wounds should be keptscrupulously rther, food should be cooked, or, if atirely above suspicion, and the plates Edishes ons food is served should be with water that has been boiled or is undoubted purity
The use of strange privies is to be avoided, specially if they are open to suspicion of sotion
fonses that are known or suspected to
fof plagne should not be visited."
the incubation of the disease
|
|
"The bacillus gains entrance to the body, either through wounds of the skin, or through the mucous membrane of the alimentary tract.
“The bacillus is eliminated from the body in the pus from the buboes, in the feces; the urine, and the expectoration; it thrives in damp, dirty places, and is disaminated by articles that have come into contact with patients suffering from the disease; and it is very sensitive to dessication.
"Preventive measures against plague, as against cholera, consist in cleansing and puri- fying towns and rivers according to general hygienic principles; in ordinary precautions against infection, by bodily cleanliness, and by the observance of a strictly healthy manner of life, especially in regard to articles of food and drink.
"In conclusion, I take this opportunity of ex- pressing my thanks to the Government of Hong- kong for summoning me to Hongkong; to the Admiral of the German Asiatic Squadron for granting me leave; to Professor Rubner, Director of the Hygienic Institute at Berlin, for sending the requisites for the bacteriologi- cal laboratory; and to Dr. Atkinson and Dr. Paulun in Hongkong for assistance given me in my work.”
HONGKONG ROPE MANUFACTUR-
ING CO., LIMITED:
rticles
203
us a good deal ahead of the prese the Committee and the Gen thought it more prude than behind hand with th trade. The investmenta. cost price, which is well value, and the increment be made use of should ood shares be sold. The small amount as the reserve fund represents an dividend, which, by th reserve only, as explained ing. After this year, allow, regular additions fund, which for the sake of he allowed to grow to a substantia factory buildings and machinery class order and carefully looked capable and efficient Superintendent. This in all, I think, gentlemen, I need say to you to-day, but before moving the adoption of the report, if there are any questions to be asked I shall be pleased to answer them i
There were no questions and the CHATEMAN- moved the adoption of the report and statement of accounts.
-!
Mr. H. WICKING seconded. Carried.
Mr. WICKING, proposed the e-election Messrs. Gillies, Lewis, Ezekiel, and Tomes Consulting Committee.
Mr. W. 8. BAILEY seconded. Carried.
Mr. FUNG WA CHUN proposed the re-election of Messrs. T. Arnold and F. Henderson. auditors.
Mr. G. H. POTTS seconded. Carried.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, that concludes the business of the meeting. Dividend warrants will be issued to-morrow morning..
THE GREEN ISLAND CEMENT CO., LIMITED.
The following is the report for presentation to the shareholders at the eighth ordinary general meeting, to be held at the office of the General Managers on Monday, 22nd March
Annexed we have the pleasure to lay before is! shareholders a statement of accounts of the Company for year ended 31st December, 1896.
The net profit, including the amount brought forward from the previous year, amounts to $58.786.81, and, after writing off $12,619,69 for depreciation, as required by the articles of association, there remains $46,117.12, which it
proposed to appropriate as follows:
is
To pay a dividend of 7 per cent....$14,000 To write off part cost of the Schofer
Kiln.....
To place to reserve fund
5,000-
20,000
To carry forward to next year's ***
account
7117.12
The business at Macao has continued to make The thirteenth ordinary general meeting of satisfactory progress and owing to the shareholders in the Hongkong Rope Manufac-versally acknowledged high quality of the turing Co., Limited, was held on the 15th March at noon, at the office of the General Managers (Messrs. Shewan, Tomes and Co.). Mr. C. A. Tomes presided, and there were also present Mesars. D. Gillies, M. D. Ezekiel, J. H. Lewis (Consulting Committee), H. Wicking, G. H. Potts, W. S. Bailey, Fung Wa Chun, F. J. V. Jorge, and J. H. R. Hance.
Mr. HANGE read the notice convening the meeting.
cement no trouble is now experienced in dis- posing of the output. The increased demand, together with the fall in exchange, has made it easier to improve the price, which is now almost equal to that obtained by the best home qualities.
The quality being assured we have bent efforts more of late in the direction o of outturn, but having raised this to per cent. over last year's production- to feel that the maximum work Macao with the present appliances reached.
The CHAIRMAN—As usual, gentlemen, I take it we may dispense with the reading of the re- port, which has been in your hands now for some days. It is a pleasure to the General Managers The Schofer Kiln is being prod to be able to come before you again with such a fast as the ironwork and favourable account, and noteworthy that al- its construction be obtained though this is the first year of working with and if all goes should the increased capital the maximum dividend August next. allowed by the articles has been declared. It is The Deep -
Bay Works to be hoped shareholders will regard this in a likewise steady way as a special: distribution, the outcome plant and kilns of a fortunate year, and not what can rea- | quality of the sonably be expected as a permanent and show that regular dividend. The additional purchase Company' of land mentioned in the accounts was to provide room for the necessary extension, New | 1 The machinery has been bought on favourable terms, and when all has been set up and put in run-i the epidemic of 1894 ning order it will be possibl to increase our the period of incubation of plague | output by nearly fifty per cent. This will place
2.
Hon 10 PCH