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Report of M. M. S. Hospital at Chusan.
AUG.
first be at all procured. When the strength of the men was worn down, being exposed to the malaria of the locality in which they were, fever seized upon them, followed by severe and almost incura- ble dysentery, which proved fatal to a most fearful extent. To so great a degree did these diseases prevail, that of the whole force very few of the men escaped more or less severe attacks.
It is by no means clear, whether the island of Chusan would be at all more unhealthy than any other place of the same latitude, were it not for the mode adopted in the cultivation of rice by means of stagnant water. If a good system of draining the fields were esta- blished, or even the flood-gates removed from the streams, whereby the water is dammed up, it is very probable that the land would in a few months become dry, and the excess of malaria would subside, its cause being in a great measure removed, It is impossible to say whether the ground could be thoroughly dried, and whether this would effect the desired change or not; it is at least probable that it would do so, and if the island be ever again in British hands it inight be tried.
The mode of irrigation is well shown in the extensive valley of Yungtung, in which Tinghae is situated. Sluices are placed in all the streams and the whole valley is one swamp, indeed so wet, that it is impossible to walk across the valley, except on raised flagged path- ways.
In all the other vallies where a stream is available, the same mode is adopted, and by much the greater portion. Yentsung, the next valley to the above, is a pool of shallow water. And that mala- ria should be rife in such districts, when during the hot summer months so large a surface of mud is exposed to the rays of the sun, cannot be wondered at.
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In illustration of the report of cases, it may be well to make a few general observations on those diseases which most prominently pre-
sented themselves..
Intermittent Fever. This disease prevails to a very great extent among the people; and from all that could be ascertained, regarding its prevalence in various districts, by repeated inquiries of respectable Chinese and native medical men; it is very general.
f
Of the cases which presented, those in which quinine was ex- hibited soon recovered: but this remedy was only given to patients who came regularly; to others general remedies were given, which appeared in some cases to be beneficial. Several Chinese physicians also applied for relief from this disease, and finding that the quinine was of service to them, would sometimes bring friends for the medi-