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CARECO
AMENT
Col Reports Mercellaneous REG 24 SEP 03
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27235 29r04/01
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 21st August, 1903.
323-27tb
SIR,--Referring to my despatches mentioned in the margin I have the honour 244-5th to enclose for your information an account of an experiment on the same subject, 262-18th
July, 1901. the reasons for which, and the results are set forth in the Memorandum.
On the July, 1901. 3rd instant 1 handed back the charge of this experimental block to the Sanitary Juze, 1903. Authorities, who will, I hope, be able to secure the extension of the system of co- operation that has been adopted in this district at my request.
2. My hypothesis in paragraph 23 may not bear the light of scientific inves- tigation, and as the hypothesis of a layman may not carry much weight, but I venture to submit that it is worthy of scientific inquiry, for while a timely glass of water may prevent a great conflagration, and plague at its first introduction may be stamped out by immediate segregation and thorough disinfection, its endemicity once established this is no longer practicable, and if the hypothesis of chronic or dormant plague in man be utimately proved to be correct, it is difficult to see how quarantine for even ten days can prevent its annual recurrence, or how any practicable examination of departing passengers can prevent its export from the plague centre and possible dissemination elsewhere if suitable conditions for its propagation be present. What the remedy or what the necessary precaution I leave it for scientific men to determine, but if my hypothesis results in a wider radius of investigation the experiment will not have been useless.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
Henry Arshake
Governor.
The Right Honourable
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES,
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