16
433
17
the laws and conditions of health had been so disregarded, the mortality should not have been even greater.
I may mention also an instance of what is now taking place to show how necessary it is, before deciding upon the unhealthiness of a site, to ascertain that at least the most obvious sanitary precautions have been adopted. The Barracks and the Medical men of the Island agree that with the proper improvements (i.e. draining the Paddy fields before and behind the Range, and converting them into exercise ground for the men) the situation would be found as healthy as any in the Peninsula.
The Surveyor General has recommended Kowloon as a place fitted for permanent occupation, which can be effected at a small cost. On this opinion, I believe the Military medical men do not concur, and to test the healthiness of the place, temporary Barracks...