Problems Of Health
RECONSTRUCTION OF DEPARTMENTS
ADVOCATED BY DIRECTOR
The report on the Medical Department for 1937, by the Hon. Dr. P. 8. Selwyn-Clarke, is the most searching document yet issued on the social and health services of the Colony, Extracts bearing on these subjects are published below.
The Influences of the Sino-Japanese war on the Colony are dealt with in relation to epidemies and vital statistics,
Schools are criticised for not coming up to hygienic standard, and the ineffective operation of the Urban Council on Ils present status is also mentioned.
the
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,
FORGED BANKNOTES Police Tell of Trap Which
Led to Arrest
Committal proceedings against Hui Chl-shan, 48, rice broker, on charges of uttering two forged $50 banknotes of the Chartered Bank, and being
In possession of alx forged $50 Char- tered Bank notes, were begin before Mr. Q. A. A, Macfadyen at the Kow- loon Magistracy yesterday. After evidence had been heard, the ease was adjourned to 2.30 p.m. on Tues- day, November 20.
Detective Sergeant C. Mottram said that as a result of information received, contact was made with ne- cused, who was tricked into bringing lx forged notes to a cafe in You- mati on the night of November 11, Bold two of them for $24 where he
Detective At this, police under to a police agent. Sergeant W. Morrison entered arrested accused, who said he
and
had
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER
25,
1998.
Hongkong in Darkness
TWO-HOUR BLACK-OUT ACCOMPANIES
MAKE BELIEVE WAR :
Varying views were expressed by observers of Hongkong's fourth black-out last night, but opinion was unanimious, from unofficial scouts, that much more could have been done to darken lights, especially on ships in the harbour.
From the Peak the black-out was described as a failure compared with the last one but from Kowloon and the city, reports were mora: satisfactory.
Almost 100 official observera, were stationed at strategic points in the Colony, but the official view of the proceedings will not be known for several days,
clothing, and half-an-hour later the all clear signal was given.
In New Territories
PEANUT HAWKING
Urban Council Concession To the Aged
An observer who travelled from the border to Kowloon during the blackout described the tracery of scarchlights when they first sprong with begging in Wanchai, appeared.
out of the darkness ahead of his car
fascinating spectacle. "One had the impression of being)
ข
show-
Three old men, who were charged Mr. R. A. D. Magistracy
on, remand before Forrest at the Central
licences to hawk
would cost
Mr. Forrest granted the men $5
the
nt mid-year I obtained them from a woman. This staged at 0:15 pm. When, Hongkong flew parallel to the prayn, presumably | me that the city.. had accepted the centre of -Victoria Tho cars...wiii
mounted to $455,232.42 na compared i culimated populat 0,002, of whom woman could not be found.
Influences on Health
an
On
year.
tho
AL 9.30
almost
total against a dark bawound of the forget for
fired to
onc
Three factors hnd a profound in- Chinese) in 1976 27,303 (530 Non-with the effluent passing over aera district hurried to the Becne, testing seemed as though residents had to drive only by watching the odland Kowloon will blow their whistles
fluence on public health in the Colony during 1037. The most important of these was the outbreak of hostilities between China and Japan. Large numbers of refugees, both white and
tion beds.
Recommended in 1902
to
Asiatic, fed from the war zones and rate of 27.8 for the previous year"available shortly to enable Albany which rushed to the scene in a truck! their normal
Some 34,035 deaths were registered the
LOCAL MANOEUVRES
I
a distant spectator of a real con- yesterday. flict," he said, "It was fascinating Inspector A. V, Baker said that and rather exciting to watch the the Urban Council were prepared to light beams patiently fingering the grant the men sky until they touched an attacker.pennuts. The licencer A beam that thus struck successfully $4 each, he added. was at once supported by the other searchlights, and from far behind Kowloon they could be seen sweeping each from the Poor Box, to enable understanding them to take out a licenco and to across the sky in quick the assailant purchase a stock of peanuts. until they had wrapped in a relentless apex of light.
"There were plenty of lights here Rond, the junction of Ladder Street, ing in the New Territories, where; His Excellency the Governor, Sir Geoffry Northcote, watched
the blackout did not seem to be Whitty Street, junction of Queen's Road, Watchal Market, the Peale.. a decontamination squad in action near the Hongkong Club.
rigidly observed, but my first glimpse terminus, Belcher Street, Pokfulam, in formation of Ilongkong, accured The report, which was laid on the, though an approximate estimate of
as I drove three planes The black-out which was in the when table at the Legislative Couneli yes-250,000 300,000 has been furnished. Based upon the arithmetical increase
and will
converge towards terday, slutes, in part:
two
nature of a practice exercise was swooped low over the harbour, and down the hills into Kowloon, showed Sassoon Road and Sing Wood Road Revenue earned by all divisions of in population between
on warships at seriousness of the manoeuvres. The proceed at the rate of ten miles an the Medical Department during 1037 Census periods of 1921 and 1931, the
was theoretically undergoing an air in a mock attack
scintillating peak of Hongkong, raid.
All street lights went out to anchorage. with $339,800.00 in 1930. The total 1937 amounted to
the tick though no alarm was given.
of the world's greatest night-time hour. The sirens will be sounded It was not fill the planes were] spectacles, had given place to what for a perlod of four minutes.
feel that "By this method, I ordinary (recurrent) expenditure was nearly ninety-eight per centum were
over the dockyard that they were seemed a badly it village. Short of $1,860,011.07, the corresponding ex-Chinese. No account is taken in this penditure for 1030 being $1,574,701.55. estimate of the numbers of refugees noli to contractors in the way des-At 11.16 p.m. the "air raid" was cribed, there is always a danger of over, lights were switched on, and
then they stood out as clear targets combined efforts of the authorities require more permanent sirena and Speelal expenditure amounted to now resident in these territories."
Births registration is still incom- the junks being unable to function the colony resumed its normal life. picked up by the searchlights neid snuffing the city out like a candle, the shall be able to ascertain whether
cople had made it a dim in what districts. It is anUcipated $151,225.47 and $9,553.00 in 1937 and
In the elty area
and the pecial attac At this time the
A familiar that permanent strens will be installed 1930 respectively. The Bgures for plete, partly as the result of ignor- owing to strikes in labour or to special expenditure dot include ance or laziness and partly owing to typhoons. The service was, in fact, blackness was obtained and only one
or two lights, three or four storeys fire-engine's siren was heard as the eye could of 1937. For this
main buildings.
Wing-Commander Steele-Perkins the cost of bulldings, hosylials, watern Chinese custom of postponing the seriously disorganised during
"Driving with
with shrouded headlights
instead. . of. considerable event until the child is in its second typhoon reason
announced that Rency call "somewhere in the supplies, elc., a very
reason, steps. are being taken to in-up, could be seen from the streets, crew rushed to answer any emer- of cmd by Russ at the location at the beginning of the New Year."
were able travel through
to
streets
Terti- In the road separating the Hong- The Bremen
unusually quiet, I also total expenditure item. The
Bring maroons in the New 1.3 in medical services rose from $1,584,-
day lime found Kowloon like a city of ghoststories, it had been decided to let off Against this, a tendency has shown vestigate the possibility of drastically tself since the commencement of dis-altering the system and to arrange kong Club and the Cable and Wire-almost as quicitly
total Lack of Hazy pedestrian figures passed befo
before 327.25 in 1030 to $2,018,137.44 in the]
latrines interested spectator ay a public yeur under review.
decon- traffic in the streets. No rickshas my car and showed up dimly against Chinese crackers and Verey lights. The total revenue for the Colony turbances in Far Eastern waters to for nightsuil to be dumped at sialed less building, the Governor was wing to the almost
Over 300,000 Chinese pamphlets exleavour to register births in Hong-places-usually
were on the streets and the only the small blue lights of creeping trafle was an occasional tram, whose buses. Except when the reflection have been distributed in buses and from all sources in 1037 was $32,111,- Pong as a preliminary step towards from which it will be carried away in tamination squad went into action.
was a rocket
searchlight trams warning the Chinese popula- low-sweeping 222.28; hence the expenditure
British rationality, ever. sewers to the deep sea either direct
from a claiming
progress seemed strangely mulled,
Otherwise medical services formed 10.19 per when the evidence of local birth is when no danger to public health can
the great suddenly illuminated the street ahead tion of the blackout. Beader.
1 assured, or after partial purifica-simulate the falling of a gas bomb. and taxis, cent, of the general revenue,
of the most
Rallway engines between Fauling Births registered in 1937 showed on by the activated sludge process An air raid warden en duty, te the majority of cars were parked and with a green glow, it was possible on increase from
of by manipulation his respirator decided that this was the beat way of the roadway, and even then it was to 32.303 (G02 Non-
whether gas was present,
little help.
possible to go
faster than as a signal, crude, uncorrected
walking pace. Police Finding the aren filled with gas, Chinese). The
protective wearing full
"Darkness always seems to induce 1937 is calcuinted as birth-rate for
will be the warden flashed a telephone mclothing and respirators carried out It is hoped that funds
зnge to the decontamination squad,
night duties in the hush, and nothing was so impres This compares with a 32.1 per thousand of the mid-year population.
central upper level, Tsimshatsui and sive as the silence with which the Service Reservoir to be covered and
usually busy ferry entrance and the unfiltered and unchlorinated with full equipment. They were en
a space of a few Hung Hom districts.
harbour itself seemed to be oppressed. Alr raid wardens were on duty on The ferries were timid instead of in 1937 amongst the civilian popula-water in the Pokfulam area to be the spot within
minutes. dealt with. Recom~ The warden met them as they came their allotted areas and reported by fussy, as is their habit, and seemed abnormal circumstances to feel their way across the quict telephone Agure for influx of mostly destitute and unem- tion, an increase of 0,255 over the adequately
mendations for the covering of the Sull-births numbered 913 in 1937 Albany Reservoir were put forward on the scene and directed them to
by the late Professor Sir William the spot beside the Hongkong Club, which occurred in their districts.
With methodical precision and under Deaths in Chi
In Chinese Infants under Simpson sent out to this Colony by W and 970 in 1030.
mulled instructions, the squad in
From a vantage point on top of the one year of nge numbered 9,005 in the Secretary of State 38 years ago.
full equipment ran out hose-pipes, : 1938 and 11,620 in 1937, the respec
found there Peninsula hotel on observer could
In the early hours of yesterday House-to-house inspection forms after the leader had Live infant mortality rates being 372
forces uren stretched before him. and 378, post-registered births being part of the duties of the Health Om-mustard gas present through use of see the whale of Kowloon residential
Dry Brass and part of a matched morning, "Blueland" naval and
his chemical detector. Sonitory Inspectorate,
Notlecable chicfy in the darkness at Morrison Hill caught are shortly mado a destroyer attack on the deducted from the total Chinese cors births in making the calculation. theoretically the Sanitary Inspectora
Meanwhile the area was roped off were the undimmed lights of rick- before 9 pm, and when all lights entrances of the harbour, the one on There were 602 births (307 male being grouped round the Health and civilians warned to keep clear shas, the red-tall lights of motor- were extinguished, the blaze seemed the East being easily repulsed. The
cers for this and other purposes. while the work of clearing the gas cars and
In
an occasional
was launched top-storey to be a big bon-fire. The tre was attack on the West and 305 female) including late re-
actual practice the Sanitary Ins-
In in hand an efficient window which had not been darken- put out by several workmen. with great determination and auc- was put gistrations in this section or 162 more in the non-Chinese
Portable pectors are not under the control of manner. By 10 p.m. the work of the ed.
Birens
ceeded in doing some damage to the than in 1930
the Medical Officers of Health but
The buses were well screened and
In discussing the second surprise ships in the harbour. of the Urban squad wea through and the all clear population.
Non-Chinese deaths numbered 230 under the Chairman
Two destroyers were sunk and one removed and to men piled back in streets. I do not think there were to-day and Sunday, Wing-Com- (apart from 17 deaths in the Forces Council of Hongkong, a quasi-muni- signal was given. Respirators were there were very few people in the blackout, which will occur between
attack was disabled. before the half as many people about us during mander Steel-Perkins said yesterday driven off. of the Crown) in 1938 giving a death-cipal body which functions mainly as nem rock.
the last black-out," summarised this that he would try out a system of rate of 100 per thousand living. In a cleansing department but which figures possesses limited powers and is with-
Observer on the Peak
observer.
to the The Commander of the "Blueland" the year under review the were 244, excluding 11 deaths in the out fiscal autommy. The system
In Kowloon, the fire brigades an-portable sirens in addition
sirens which are in the Gloucester forces on the mainland reports that Looking down on the Colony from Forces, with a death rate of 11.
Lugard Road, sprae-fourteen hundred swered a call from the radio station Building and the Gough Hill Police the enemy are using gas. The facts are being communicated to the feet above sea-level, the black-out area in Hung Hom, which had been Station.
"Six electric portable sirens will League of Nations. was unsuccessful. Many hundreds theoretically bombed. The first en- of lights were visible, clearly reveal-gine was on the scene shortly after It is estimated that, opart from ing the position of the city, while Dm, and two other crews arrived
shortly afterwards. premises occupied by Europeans and pairs of blue lights were observed
As the street hydrants had been the larger banks, stores, etc.. there
where on
AS occasions, many ure about 23,347 Chinese-type houses t
vehicles threaded their way through damaged in the "raid" the firemen in the Urban Council Area of Hong the streets. Some lights were even went to the sea for their water, with kung and Kowloon. The majority of the Malaria Burenu, a branch of the increased during the last two years. these are of three storeys or floors, bright enough to outline buildings which they skilfully put out the scen, flares caused by chraped up by a Laboratory Division, malaria has be-i
A not inconsiderable amount of Some 220,713 floors were subjected to Mooring lights were clearly were
sion although the vehicle ferries in the urban areas. The Infection ! breeding of the anapheline vectors cleansing with kerosene oil emulsion | vetter screened than on the last acca-hastily rigged emergency, apparatus, come a relatively unimportant disease
and in during the year. Each Sanitary Ins- certain rural takes place in paddy-Belds rate remains high in
pector is responsible for supervising sion. wet cultivation.. areas where lack of funds and local land under
In district containing 90,000 or more Systemalle trapping of rats was
of whom out throughout the year. Inhabitants, the majority agricultural customs make remedial
carried measures impracticable.
10,375 were caught alive.
conditions. the Speaking of cholera, Hongkong during every month af
ON: The states:
stair sanitary sta is in- 1037 except October. The largest number for any single month were
April. encountered in
A second adequate and its organisation fastigium occurred in December and been the subject of considerable by those best
sought a haven in Hongkong.
As might have been expected, the ployed persons into an already con- gested urban area aggravated in- sanitary conditions and the number of deaths leaped up from a monthly Average of 2,349 for the first seven montis of the year to 4,070 September, giving an average of 3,030 of 1937. for the last five months Many of these refugees arrived from districts in China where health ser
disur- vices had become seriously ganised. It was not surprising, there- fore, that Hongkong suffered from a visitation of cholera. The disease appeared towards the end of July in which month 13 cases were discover-
ed. By the time the last victim came under observation in December, some
ilves. 1,082 persons had lost their
A particularly severe typhoon de- vastated the Colony on September, 2. No accurate estimate of the actual loss of life is possible. Suffice it to say that some 490 bodies of persons who had been drowned or killed were picked up mainly on the foreshore at the eastern entrance to the harbour.
Controlling Disease
Since the organisation of anu- malarial work under the auspices of
1938.
Deaths in infants of Non-Chinese nationality amounted to thirty as compared with 19 in 1930-an infant mortality rate of 40, the rate for the previous year being 37.
Malaria and Cholera The number of malaria cases ad- milled to Government hospitals has
is
unsatisfactory from many points of
view and strong representations have been made to Government to sanction u reorganization on up-to-date lines.
Cases of small-pox were notified Income 221.65% being trapped of which live under lamentably overcrowded.
report
has
this heralded what proved later to be criticism for year There la to
upan
the most scrious outbreak within qualified to speak. living memory. The yearly total was wonder that the epidemic broke with
suddenness
the Colony 120 cases notified of which 94 died. auch
under the con
the conditions
ons prevailing. There can be little doubt that many
On the prevention of epidemics the cases mlased detection owing to auc-
Legislation was drawn cessful concealment and to a quite report states: Ineffective system of house-to-house up during the year with a view to bringing about the compulsory pas- Visits
teurization of milk, but the opposi- tion succeeded in postponing this for the time being.
There is every reason to
believe
Sporadic cases of cerebro-spinal fever were discovered throughout the year, 44 out of a total of 157 being notified in March. Eighty-eight or fifty-six per cent. of the patients died. that this opposition is disappearing
with
a better apprecia- The corresponding #gures for 1936 concurrently were a case mortality rate of fifty- Uon of the subject by the general public and that the necessary legista- three per centum.
As in past years pulmonary tuber-ton will be enacted in 1930.
possibility of legislating culosis formed rather more than one out of eleven deaths from all causes. against spitting in public places is! The overcrowded conditions under also under consideration, which the poorest and most under law having been enacted some years nourished members of the community ago in Malaya where there is a large live provide ideal soll for the pro- proportion of Chinese in the popula- pagation of this disease.
The greatest number of dysentery cases (111) were reported in October, a total of 576 being recorded for the whole year.
July to October were the months of maximum prevalence of the enteric group of fevers. No doubt the re- fugee problem contributed to the in- creased incidence from 418 notified cases and 130 deaths in 1930 to 484 and 170 respectively in 1937.
During 1937 the major incidence
The
tion.
Sewage Disposal
a similar
An increasing number of premises in the Urban Council Area were con- nected up with the pubile sewers or tank installations acquired septic during the year under review. The Public Works Department supervised the installation of water closets in 1,470 instances in private dwellings, the figure comparing with 904 for the previous year,
The night soil junks form part of a of notified cases of diphtheria was conservancy system owned by the recorded from November March Urban Council. When they have Inclusive, there being a decrease over collected their quota of nightsoil in 1936. only 308 cases with 140 deaths the steel-lined compartments of their being notified in 1937.
Little is known regarding the holds, the junks are taken by sen to Gin Drinkers Bay. Her night-poll amount of leprosy in these territories, baled out by men standing although various estimates have been shoulder deep in excreta into other In made which tend to the belief junits owned by contractors. that there may be upwards of a
normal times the night oil is carried thousand or more sufferers from the
up the Canton River by the second! disense. The possibility is under feet of junks and sold chiefly for :: consideration of ellelting the help of the fertilization of the mulberry trees the British Empire Leprosy Relief on which the silkworms feed. Association in carrying out a survey, and of konding the greater number of lepers to the Roman Catholle Settle
tory.
Slace the decline in the industry and particularly since Sino-Japanese
hostilities, made coastal shipping ment at. Sheklung in Chinese terri- rather a precarious trade, there has been a tendency for the contractors Owing to its intimate geographical owning the second fleet of junks to
dispose of nightsoil to market каг
-Vitxi Biniinilom
relationship with South Chian and to deners and for fah ponds In the New the fact that Hongkong is a free port Territories.
obviously con-
2. This
with, practically speaking: no effecstitutes a grave source of danger tive restriction on immigration or omigration, it not possible to pro- when it is remembered that typhold vide an accurate estimate of the gen- and dysentery are common in Hong
Gral PadardNo figures are of kong and that outbreaks of cholera"
the actual number of are also not of infrequent occurrence. ought refuge in Hong- Although a certain amount of ref kou from the nighting in China ni- venue accrues from the sale of night-
:
The
Kowloon Scenes
"incendiary bombs."
water was
area was cordoned and the whole off by a gas decontamination squad Planes Attack Ships
which was soon on the scene.
Streets and area were hosed down In the Central district a dramatie
the
in men full protective touch
the proceedings by Was given
--
SUPER-DOCTOR! SUPER-CROOK!
Healer By Day !
THE MOST AMAZING HOUR SOF YOUR LIFE WILL BE SPENT WITH THESE PEOPLE!
SUPER-MAN!
Killer By Night !
CLAIRE
TREVOR
THE
Astounding
10 KELLER Queen of the underworld... and so tough as her job!
Medical genius by day...super. Crook by night!
EDW. G. ROBINSON
Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse
"THE
TO-MORROW
HUMPHREY
BOGART
Appalling
"ROCKS' VALENTINE Wented by the polics for overy crime on the basket
ALLEN
JENKINS
DONRED CRIES - GALE PAGE - 1. AXATOLE LITTAK Prora | Prmailid by WARNER BROS. • A FIRST NATIONAL PIOTURM
QUEEN'S & ALHAMBRA
AT THE
Enemy Reported to Be
Resorting to
Gas
A communique was issued by harbour, gingerly creeping to their Military Headquarters yesterday that "Blucland" invaded 'Redland", from piera. On board everybody stood along the rails, watching the mock the North and is now firmly held up on the line overlooking Tide Cove battle overhead."
and Tolo Harbour.
Real Fire Thrill
be installed in cars manned by the There is nothing to report from Police Emergency Unit Reserve," he the defenders of the Island of Hong- said. "They will start at Hollywood kang.
DX010
DX676
9410
9200
DX703
PB1345
NOTICE
All display advertising space in The "South China Morning Post" has been booked between December 1st and 24th with the following exceptions:—
1st, 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd.
The number of pages of "The Hongkong increased during Telegraph" will be December in order to most the demand for space, all dates being available with the exception of the 10th, 17th, 22nd and 24th.
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