M 61
Allowance must be made for errors in diagnosis in these earlier years, there was then little or no control of diagnosis by bacteriological and pathological experiment.
When however it is noted that the above figures represent fatal cases only and that they must be multiplied considerably before they can be used even to suggest the incidence of cases of these diseases, and when further it is remarked that during the same years the deaths ascribed simply to diarrhoea were approximately equivalent to those from Simple Continued Fever, the significance of such figures is still very great.
Excuse for bringing to notice again these long forgotten figures is sought in that they show the value of preventive measures. These have been the provision of public water supplies and the closure of private wells.
These two measures must always go hand in hand for if the public supply at any time fail to be sufficient recourse will be had to undesirable sources and insanitary methods of storing water.
The following brief notes on the provision of public water supplies have been obtained by the courtesy of the Water Authority.
They clearly indicate the continued call for more and more water to keep pace with the rapidly increasing population.
Even long after the last year dealt with in the Colonial Surgeon's report for 1894 there were private wells. In the city these were often in houses and where not actually in houses were in narrow lanes and alleys where they were exposed to great pollution.
Some of these were not closed until as late as 1902 but by far the greater number had been closed before that year.
Some few years ago during a time of shortage of water at the end of the dry season a demand was made for the opening of old wells. The foregoing remarks may serve to indicate the grave danger that may result from any such procedure.
Notes on the provision of public water supplies.
1863-Provision of a small reservoir at Pokfulam to hold 2000000 gallons.
1871:-Pokfulam reservoir constructed to hold 60000000 gallons.
1889: Tytam reservoir constructed to hold 312000000 gallons.
1891-Pumping works to supply water to the Peak provided.
1895-Pokfulam reservoir capacity increased to 70400000 gallons.