M 40
Cholera.
128. The pandemic of cholera in China in 1932, of which the outbreak in Hong Kong formed but a part, commenced towards the end of April in Shanghai. Subsequently cases appeared in other ports and inland towns until by the end of the summer there was scarcely a province which had not been visited by the disease. It is reckoned there were over 100,000 cases with a general death rate of some 50 per cent.
129. Canton reported the first sporadic case during the week ended 21st May and the number of cases steadily increased and in the week ending 18th June there were 333 cases reported with 152 deaths.
130. Because of the gravity of the situation in Canton and the imminent danger of importing infection into Hong Kong through the thousands coming daily by steamer and railway it was recommended that all passengers travelling by these routes should be inspected on arrival.
131. The Director of Medical and Sanitary Services visited Canton and conferred with the Municipal Commissioner of Health in an endeavour to ascertain the exact situation and with a view to an understanding whereby passengers from Canton to Hong Kong would be subjected to scrutiny before embarkation.
132. Quarantine against Canton being impracticable for the reasons given in paragraph 25 it was decided by Government that the river boats should not stop at the quarantine anchorage for examination of passengers but go straight to the wharf where it would be the duty of the health staff to examine the passengers and to take the necessary action to ensure the thorough cleansing of all passenger decks, kitchens and lavatories.
133. The Port Health staff was increased by the addition of one Chinese Medical Officer and one Chinese Sanitary Inspector, and a number of the Government Vaccinators were detailed for duty with it.
134. It was arranged that the Tung Wah Infectious Diseases Hospital should be placed at the disposal of the Medical Department and that all patients entering the Chinese Hospitals should be subject to examination by the Medical Superintendent, a Western trained doctor.
135. The two Infectious Diseases Hospitals which are situated adjacent the one to the other were staffed and equipped, and an Intelligence Bureau was established to give the latest news of any case to any enquirer.
136. A daily medical conference of the principal medical officers concerned was organised so that there might be complete coordination and cooperation and prompt action taken to meet all requirements.