M 4
DISEASES.
There were 595 cases of small-pox as compared with 220 in 1916. The vaccination campaign was ably carried out by Dr. Woodman who received the greatest assistance from Mr. Tsó and other Chinese gentry. By the end of February the epidemic had practically ceased. The total up to the 5th March being 549 cases. The other diseases notified during the year were: enteric fever, 188; diphtheria, 69; puerperal fever, 20; paratyphoid fever, 7; and scarlet fever, 3.
POPULATION.
The last census was taken in 1911. The estimate of the population for 1917 is based on the usual rate of increase of the numbers given in the last census with the addition of 10,000 allowed for the influx of Chinese due to the revolution. This estimate is probably much too low but only by taking another census could reliable information be obtained.
Owing to the war the estimate of the white population for 1916 has been adopted unchanged for the year 1917.
HOUSE CLEANSING.
House building has gone on and the staff has been depleted thus rendering it impossible to maintain a quarterly cleansing. Barely three house cleansings per annum have been possible.
The total numbers of floors cleansed were 68,549 for Hong-kong and 32,140 for Kowloon.
LIMEWASHING.
The annual limewashing of Chinese tenement houses is still carried on and entails a great amount of trouble both to this Department and to the general public. Little or no improvement has resulted from By-law 4 which makes compulsory limewashing possible and it would seem as if the only possible solution of the difficulty lay in making this measure a part of the ordinary routine public scavenging services.
MARKETS.
No new markets were opened during the year.
A comparative table of the market rents for the past four years will be found in the report of the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon.
There is an increase in revenue of $800 over the total for 1916.
CONSERVANCY.
The conservancy contract was carried out in a very satisfactory manner.
Complaints were received from time to time from the Contractor regarding losses due to the disturbed state of the neighbouring country,
M 4
DISEASES.
There were 595 cases of small-pox as compared with 220 in 1916. The vaccination campaign was ably carried out by Dr. Woodman who received the greatest assistance from Mr. Tsó and other Chinese gentry. By the end of February the epidemie had practically ceased. The total up to the 5th March being 549 cases. The other diseases notified during the year were:-enteric fever, 188: diphtheria, 69; puerperal fever, 20; paratyphoid fever, 7: and scarlet fever, 3.
POPULATION.
The last census was taken in 1911. The estimate of the popu lation for 1917 is based on the usual rate of increase of the num- bers given in the last census with the addition of 10,000 allowed for the influx of Chinese due to the revolution. This estimate is probably much too low but only by taking another census could reliable information be obtained.
Owing to the war the estimate of the white population for 1916 has been adopted unchanged for the
HOUSE CLEANSING,
year 1917.
House building has gone on and the stuff has been depleted thus rendering it impossible to maintain a quarterly cleansing. Barely three house cleansings per aunum have been possible.
The total numbers of floors cleansed were 68,549 for Hong- kong and 32,140 for Kowloon.
LIMEWASHING.
The annual limewashing of Chinese tenement houses is still carried on and entails a great amount of trouble both to this Department and to the general public. Little or no improvement has resulted from By-law 4 which makes compulsory limewashing possible and it would seem as if the only possible solution of the difficulty lay in making this measure a part of the ordinary routine public scavenging services.
MARKETS.
No new markets were opened during the year.
A comparative table of the market rents for the past four years will be found in the report of the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon.
There is an increase in revenue of $800 over the total for 1917.
CONSERVANCY,
The conservancy contract was carried out in a very satisfactory
manner.
Complaints were received from time to time from the Contrac- tor regarding losses due to the disturbed state of the neighbouring country,
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