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they would be buried. The adoption of Mr. Osborne's idea would not help things in the least, because it was impracticable. If they could wriggle out of the Venice Convention, so much the better. If a coolie got sick and wanted to leave the colony, he would leave it,
Dr. CLACK, who also opposed the motion, said that it had been amply shown that plague spread from floor to floor, so that the treating of a patient in his own house would not limit its scope. As Dr. Bell and Mr. May had said, the scheme was impracticable, and the difficulties in the way of carrying it out were many.
Mr. CHAN A Foox said that what they wanted to do was to exterminate plague, but after seven years of trying they were no nearer that end. Mr. Osborne's proposal might be given a trial for a few months to see if it would have a salutary effect. Notwithstanding all that had been said to the contrary, the feeling amongst the Chinese was that in going to the hospital they were going to their death.
or
Lieut. Col. HUGHES did not agree with Mr. Chan A Fook that they were no nearer the suppression of plague now after seven eight years' trying. When one came to look at it, the fact that cases now-a-days averaged only twenty was good enough proof that the sanitary schemes were having practical results. As to Mr. Osborne's proposal, if people were turned out of their homes, where, as Dr. Bell had asked, were they to go? How were they to know that they did not return home at night? Lastly, where were all the doctors coming from to look after them ?
Mr. OSBORNE, speaking with some warmth, said there was an old proverb that “ none were so blind as those who won't see.' Dr. Bell had drawn a very beautiful picture-so beautiful, indeed, that the wonder was that a coolie, to get to the hospital, did not wilfully contract plague to get there. It was an extraordinary thing that, with plague raging all round, they could only hear of about 20 or 30 cases daily. What became of the others? People left the colony with plague, sometimes at the earliest stages, often at the latest, and the police and sanitary authorities knew nothing about it. His proposal opened up a way to stop a great deal of that illicit traffic. He did not intend that a Euro- pean doctor should go round attending these coolies; he meant a Chinese doctor trained in Western medicine. It was absurd on Dr. Bell's part to suppose he meant otherwise,
Dr. BELL-It is still more absurd of you to talk of a Chinese dooter trained in Western medicine.
Mr. OSBORNE-A man trained in Western medicine in a local hospital.
Dr. BELL-You can't get one at $500 a month.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Mr. OSBORNE-I've got one at $100. Dr. BELL-That's the last one. Mr. OSBORNE, dealing with statistics of the plague, described them as "rotten," and said they proved nothing.
The motion was then put to the meeting by the PRESIDENT, but found no supporters.
In submitting the second motion, Mr. OSBORNE agreed with Mr. May in the desirabi lity of wriggling out of the Venice Convention, than which nothing could be more ridiculous or absurd.
Mr. CHAN A. Foox again seconded.
Dr. CLARK, after referring to the imprò- bability of a body, after years of burial, still retaining the germs of infection, said he would not oppose the motion.
Dr. BELL said it was against the spirit of the Venice Convention.
Dr. CLARK-I don't oppose if the Govern ment are of opinion that the motion will not a contravention of the Venice Conven-
mean tion.
The PRESIDENT-Will you accept that? Mr. OSBOENE-I had better take half a loaf (Laughter.)
The motion was then put to the meeting and carried. Lieut. Col. Hughes was the only
dissentient.
INSPECTOR 8 QUAETERS AT KENNEDYTOWN. recommendation was submitted by Dr. Clark relative to the quarters of the inspector in charge of the animal depots, at Kennedy. town. The recommendation was to the effect that Inspector Watson, through persis tent efforts to treat the anopheles pools
The estimated cost of adding another story is $9,000.
Hon. F. H. May minuted-"I am in favour of adding another story."
[June 17, 1901,
and clear away the brushwood in the neigh-sight to those convalescing of a procession of bourhood of the house, had not been ill 20 to 30 coffins daily was & most depressing from fever this spring. As there was, in one. Cremation being out of the question, Dr. Clark's opinion, very little question that another site should be arranged for before the neighbourhood could be made healthy, he next year's epidemio. In Dr. Bell's opinion, thought that the Board might now consistently it was time that a proper brick building was recommend the Government to add another erected for the Chinese staff at the hospital. As story to the inspector's present quarters. As to nursing, the hospital s'aff was very defi rent it was absolutely essential that In pector Wat- indeed. Two trained wardmasters and two son should live in immediate proximity to the trained sisters were required for Kennedytown depots, his quarters should certainly be made to Hospital one each for day and night duty. Skilled meet his needs.
English nurses should always be about to see that the subordinate staff are doing their work properly. To make the nursing efficient, Dr. Bell recommended (1) to build quarters as far away as possible, compatible with efficiency, from the hospital, for two wardmasters and two sisters; (2) i to get out another ward- master (one having already been requisitioned for) to do duty especially at the Infections Hospital-and to be available for other duty, including private nursing; (3) to obtain from home two sisters under similar conditions. The sisters would live at the Govern- ment Civil Hospital, but would proceed to their quarters at Kennedytown as soon as a case of infectious disease in a femalo was ad- mitted. The letter concluded :—" I am induced to lay these views before His Excellency, as I am of opinion that plague is now epidemic here, and thatevery year we will have an epidemio--varying in severity, no doubt, but still an epidemio—until we know more about the etiology of the disease or until we are prepared to take more stringent means at the very outset to trace the cases, and it is very difficult in my opinion to suggest remedies for this latter. We should, therefore, be more fully equipped for the treatment of those Euro- pean or others who may come under our care.”
The PRESIDENT said there had been a great deal said in this matter, and there was a proposal on foot to add another story to the house. That would be an expensive matter, and would result in very little benefit to the house. The better plan would be to add another room to it as it now stood, and another room might be stuck up on top of that.
Dr. CLARK-I move that the Board recom. mend the Government to add two rooms to the inspector's quarters at Kennedytown, one over the other.
Lieut-Col. HUGHES and Dr. BELL suggested tho advisability of waiting, before spending money on the house, to see that malaria had left the district.
Dr. CLARK-The money must be voted now, Mr. OSBORNE—We need not spend it. Mr. May--If provision be made in the ea timates for next year for the addition, if found desirable, of two rooms, then I would support the proposal.
Mr. BREWIN-That could be included'in the motion.
This was done, and the motion, as amended, carried.
PUBLIC LATRINES.
Correspondence relative to the public latrines was laid on the table. It included a document from a Chinaman recommending the use of camphor and laudanum in the treatment of cholera and plague, and also complaining of the offensive- ness of Hongkong latrines—an offensiveness only slightly lessened by the use of disinfectants. This document was submitted to His Excel- lency the Governor, who suggested that it might be sent to Dr. Thomson and to the Sanitary Board, as there was something in the latrine question.
Among other minutes were the following:- Mr. Brewin-"I believe Mr. Chadwick inspected and reported on the Canton latrines: what were his recommendations ?
Dr. Clark-" Mr. Chadwick recommended the system at present in vogue, until the time came that all the night-soil could be admitted to the sewers. This latter is entirely dependent on the water supply, and is therefore never likely to be accomplished, unless sea-water is made available for the purpose.”
NEW LATRINE.
The plan of a latrine in Hing Wan Street was submitted.
The PRESIDENT said the plan had been submitted for the approval of the Board. The latrine was to be public, and situated in Wanchai.
On the motion of Dr. CLARK, seconded by Dr. BELL, the plan was adopted.
PROI OSED NEW PLAGUE CEMETRY.
Correspondence relative to the opening up of a new plague cemetery was submitted. This included a letter, dated 31st May, from Dr. Bell, Principal Civil Medical Officer, containing remarks on the present epidemic of plague, the treatment of patients-Europeans, Indians, and Japanese-and the means for so doing. Ken- nedytown Hospital; the letter stated, was hardly large enough when two epidemics, plague and smallpox, had to be combated, and should be extended on the site at present occupied by the matsheds used for Chinese- to the east of the main building. The Tung Wah anthorities should build their Infections Hospital as quickly as possible, or, better still, the Government should build one for Chinese in the neighbourhood, so as to keep the Europeans and Chinese somewhat apart. Some other arrangements should be made for bringing plague bodies other than taking them past Kennedytown Hospital. The
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Attached was a copy of the report of the Chinese Cemeteries Committes, dated 13th June, 1900, having reference to the use of a site at Sandy Bay or on Lamus Island for a plague cemetery.
Dr. CLARK-I think the Board might recommend the Government to plant the cemetery with trees, to keep the cemetery from view. Secondly, I move that the Govern ment be requested to tsk the Director of Public Works to construct a new approach path for the conveyance of coffins and dead bodies to the graveyard without going in view of the hospital.
Dr. BELL seconded.
Mr. MAY said he was dead against this plague cemetery, and was of opinion that laziness was the sole cause of Bandy Bay, where the bodies were formerly buried, being given up in favour of the present one at Kennedytown, which Was nearer to the hospital. He moved as an amendment that the present plague cem tery at Mount Davis be given up and plague corpses buried in Sandy Bay fill a better place was found.
Dr. BELL--Sandy Bay is the only place available for the landing of merchandise.
Mr. OSBORNE seconded the amendment. The two motions put forward by Dr. Clark were put to the meeting and carried.
The amendment was next put and carried, six voting for and three against.
PROPOSED MORTUARIES AND PLAGUE CEMETERIES AT KOWLOON.
A letter, dated 1st December, 19.30, and addressed to the Colonial Secretary, was sub- mitted from the Hon. F. H. May. It recom- mended the construction of a mortuary at Yaumati or in the vicinity, and another at Kowloon City or vicinity. The establishment of a plague cemetery at Kowloon was also suggested. The principal reason for the recommendation was the fact that at present-- every dead body has to be towed scross harbour and conveyed to the mortuary cemetery at West Point.
Papers in connection with the subject were attached.
The following minutes were appended: Mr. Fung Wa Chuen “I strongly support the recommendation of the Hon. C.B.P. A mortuary and plague cemetery for Kowloon are indispensable. Although it means more expense to the Government, it will save trouble and inconvenience and annoyance to the public, as occasioned by the present method of dealing with the dead. A properly kept cemetery Kowloon will be no danger to the inhabitants
· Dr. Bell—“I agree with the M,OH”