22.398.
Sir,
Government House,
Hongkong, 8th October, 1901.
I have the honour to forward the report
of the Medical Officer of Health on the Epidemic of Plague
during the half year ending 30th June, 1901.
2.
In my Despatch No. 244 of 5th July last,
I have reported upon this outbreak and asked for the
assistance of a Sanitary Engineer and a Medical Expert. As
the presumptive evidences of the connexion of rats with the
spread of the disease is very strong, I have requested His
Majesty's Minister in Japan to approach the Japanese Government
with a view of obtaining the assistance of two Japanese
Doctors for the examination of all rats killed or taken as
was done in Japan, where each rat was labelled and if found
infected the place where found was forthwith disinfected.
The Legislative Council has approved of the bye-laws giving
necessary powers to the Sanitary Board.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble servant,
Henry Arthur
Governor,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN,
&c. &c.