398
THE PLAGUE AND ITS CAUSES.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE PLAGUE AND CHINESE OPPOSITION TO SANITARY MEASURES.
{May 24, 1894}
than a visitation of the plague, and in view of The possibility of objection being taken to of the present epidemic the whole question the latter was foreseen and was discussed at When the present epidemic has abated and of overcrowding ought again to be taken the meeting of the Sanitary Board. The the Colony once more as a little breathing into consideration. The outbreak now caus- Colonial Surgeon and Dr. Lowson in their joint letter said: We feel that if a deputation of the leading Chinese be taken to the Hygeia and the situation is ex- I would be rash to assume without careful once the disease has made its appear-plained to them, and also the fact that inquiry that the alterations in the drainage ance in any place it has reappeared "the patients will be in charge of their own system are responsible for the visitation, but
at longer or shorter intervals until the countrymen, no difficulty will be found in it is impossible to overlook the coincidence conditions favouring its existence have been "getting the affected people to go to the ship. that while the plague never visited the amended. We have to consider, therefore, "These cases as a rule are too ill to take care of Colony during all the years the old not only how best to cope with the present" themselves and if any difficulty is caused system was in force no sooner is the outbreak but how best to prevent any re- "then it must be met by the Government." so-called separate system brought into appearance of the disease hereafter. Choked The Hon. Ho Kai suggested that many people partial operation than the disease breaks drains, overcrowding in dwelling houses, would object to go to the Hygeia, but did not seem to have any idea of the entire strength of the objection that would be manifested. Mr. LAU WAI-CHUEN was not present at the meeting, but even if he had been it is doubtful whether he would have been able to foresee the strength of the objection any more than Dr. Ho KAI. At first some opposition should be manifested by the Chinese to the sanitary measures taken for staying the ravages of the plague is not very surprising. Modern sanitation is a science of which the ordinary Chinese coolie has no comprehension or appreciation, and when it is carried to the extent of an official house to house inspection and the compulsory removal of the sick he is inclined to rebel. The present emergency is one, however, in which the Government must stand firm on all essential points and not yield to popular clamour, but on the other hand, where the prejudices and sentiments of the
natives can be yielded to without danger common humanity indicates a conciliatory policy, for there can be no desire to add to the fearful scourge now afflicting the native community any avoidable grievances.
The most sincere sympathy is felt both by the Government and the European community with the natives in the affliction which has fallen upon them and the general feeling will be that they should be humoured as far as is consistent with the safety of themselves and the community at large.
From the beginning the Chinese have shown the greatest possible repugnance to the removal of the sick to the Hygeia. If the disease were amenable to the treatment by the Western system of medicine and which the Chinese themselves were unable to treat there would be some reason for insisting upon the patients being placed under the care of European doctors, but out of a hundred and ten admissions to the Hygeia and the Kennedytown Hospital during the five days from noon on Tuesday to noon on Sunday there have been ninety deaths, which shows that medical treatment has little effect upon the disease.
The Chinese have more faith in their own system, and although their tales of the large number of cures effected at Canton may be readily discounted it may be conceded that in a purely Chinese hospital the mortality would not be likely to be greater than it has been on the Hygeia and at Kennedytown.
The chief object of the removal of the sick is their segregation, and the Chinese having undertaken to establish hospital of their own at the Glassworks, where the segregation will be as perfect as at the Government establishments, there can be no reasonable objection to all the cases being taken there.
The sick will probably have as good a chance of recovering there as on the Hygeia and they will be better satisfied with their surroundings.
It is, of course, easy to be wise after the event, but it is a pity that at the commencement, provision was not made for a purely Chinese hospital where the sick could be effectively segregated instead of utilising the Hygeia.
...
3
RUSSIA AND KOREA.
(
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
a
197
THE PLAGUE.
401
16th May.
May 24, 1894.
military strength, the extension of civil liberty, the growth of intelligence, and the progress of science and art. The Government's policy, he said, was to open the country, whereas the movement he was combating, if not actually an anti-foreign movement, was at least a reversion to the isolation policy of the Bakufu, a policy incompatible with the national and fundamental programme of opening the country.
...
QUARANTINE.
It must be admitted that the authorities here are doing everything in their power to stamp out the disease and put in sanitary order the districts which are particularly favourable to its spread.
The police officers, led by their energetic chief Mr. P. H. May, are indefatigable in the discharge of an arduous and disagreeable - it may be said actually dangerous - duty.
Several more special sanitary officers have been enrolled, and the work has been thoroughly organised.
The house to house visitation continues and cases were discovered and removed to the Hygeia.
Twenty-seven deaths from plague occurred during the twenty-four hours ending at noon on Tuesday.
Of these twelve took place on board the Hygeia, five in the Kennedytown Hospital, and ten in outside districts.
Of the latter, four occurred in the Tung Wah Hospital, two in Queen's Road West, and one in Victoria Street (on the east side of the new Central Market).
There was also the death in Wanchai Road, noted elsewhere, which may be attributed to the plague.
From this it will be seen that the disease is not confined to one limited locality or any circumscribed area, but has manifested itself in various directions, suggesting a danger to the whole colony.
The leading medical authorities of all civilized countries recognise that quarantine for this disease is unnecessary.
This itself ought to be sufficient to destroy confidence in the efficacy of quarantine as a sanitary precaution.
It may be hoped, however, now that the welcome ruin has made its appearance that the plague will speedily abate as it has done in other places when vigorous sanitary measures have been taken and clean bills of health will be again issued.
In the meantime it is satisfactory to learn that at Japanese ports it is not intended to impose quarantine unless sickness has actually broken out on board.
From noon on the 4th to noon on the 15th twelve new patients were admitted to the Hygeia, four new cases to the Kennedytown Hospital, and there were under treatment - on the Hygeia 16, in Kennedytown Hospital 25, Tung Wah Hospital, none.
Total 41.
We are glad to learn that Dr. Lowson has recovered from his indisposition and has resumed his duties.
A number of dead animals have been found lying about the streets, to all appearance victims of the plague.
It will be remembered that the medical officers noted the fact that animals living near the ground are peculiarly subject to the disease.
The Kennedytown Police Station has been transformed into a temporary hospital for the reception of patients which the Hygeia is not able to accommodate.
The mat shed erected at Kennedytown will not be used unless the necessities of the case require it.
Among the deaths reported on Tuesday was that of an old woman in Wanchai Road.