226
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
drains, which are at all times most offensive. These drains receive all the refuse of the district through which they pass, and being open through most of their course (excepting when they cross a road) filth of all sorts is thrown into them, and necessarily evaporates deleterious gases from their entire surface. The premises situated at the west end of the Hollywood Road are in a filthy state, and great complaints are made of the offensive effluvia (dripping through the walls) by almost every European passer-by.
The great want of privies and suitable depots for dirt is observable everywhere the native population reside. Nothing can be more offensive than the laying out to dry of large quantities of manure on small patches of ground in the rear of this locality, and in many instances adjoining the upper or Western Road, the emanations from which not only interfere with the pleasantness of a walk much frequented by the inhabitants of Hong Kong, but must be sources of annoyance to those living in the adjacent neighbourhood. I am, therefore, of opinion that Victoria is in need of drainage and sewerage, of better paving and scavenging.
2. That the dwellings of the natives are faulty in construction, being erected apparently with the view of having the greatest number in the smallest possible space, and without any regard to ventilation and drainage.
3. That disease prevails most where the dwellings are overcrowded, and where little if any attention is paid to cleanliness, ventilation, and drainage.
4. That the inhabitants of lanes and other crowded localities be compelled to whitewash their dwellings at least twice a year, and to make free use of water upon the pavements and channels every morning.
5. That, the absence of sanitary measures in Hong Kong leads to the development and dissemination of disease. It is well known that damp and dirt, nuisance of all kinds, and particularly animal and vegetable matter in a state of decomposition, are circumstances that favour the propagation of disease; whatever renders the atmosphere impure impairs the health and predisposes the body to disease, and when numbers of sick are crowded together in close, dirty, and unventilated rooms, disease spreads with virulence and malignity.
I shall conclude these few remarks by a statement of Dr. Arnott:-" Aerial movements are to man what the constant gliding past of a clear river stream is to fishes which inhabit it; and as certainly as we should destroy the trout of a stream by confining them in a small portion of the watery element until it became a dirty puddle, so should we destroy or injure human beings when we too closely confine around them a portion of the aerial element.”
(Signed)
J. CARROLL DEMPSTER, M.D.,
Colonial Surgeon.
Page 245
Page 246
226
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
drains, which are at all times most offensive. These drains receive all the refuse of the district through which they pass, and being open through most of their course (excepting when 'they cross a road) filth of all sorts is thrown into them, and necessarily evaporates dele- torious gases from their entire surface. The premises situated at the west end of the Hollywood Road are in a filthy state, and great complaints are made of the offensive effluvia (dripping through the walls) by almost every European passer-by.
The great want of privics and suitable depots for dirt is observable everywhere the native population reside. Nothing can be more offensive than the laying out to dry of large quantities of manure on small patches of ground in the rear of this locality, and in many instances adjoining the upper or Western Road, the emanations from which not only interfere with the pleasantness of a walk much frequented by the inhabitants of Kong Kong, bat must be sources of annoyance to those living in the adjacent neighbourhood. I am, therefore, of opinion that Victoria is in need of drainage and sewerage, of better paving and scavenging.
2. That the dwellings of the natives are faulty in construction, being erected apparently with the view of having the greatest number in the smallest possible space, and without any regard to ventilation and drainage.
3. That disease prevails most where the dwellings are overcrowded, and where little if any attention is paid to cleanliness, ventilation, and drainage.
4. That the inhabitants of lanes and other crowded localitics be compelled to whitewash their dwellings at least twice a year, and to make frce use of water upon the pavements and channels every morning.
5. That, the absence of sanitary measures in Hong Kong leads to the development and dissemination of disease. It is well known that damp and dirt, nuisance of all kinds, and particularly animal and vegetable matter in a state of decomposition, are circumstances that favour the propagation of disease; whatever renders the atmosphere impure impairs the health and predisposes the body to disease, and when numbers of sick are crowded together in close, dirty, and unventilated rooms, disease spreads with virulence and qualignity.
I shall conclude these few remarks by a statement of Dr. Arnott:-" Aerial movements are to man what the constant gliding past of a clear river stream is to fishes which "inhabit it; and as certainly as wo should destroy the trout of a stream by confining them " in a small portion of the watery element until it became a dirty puddle, so should we "destroy or injure human beings when we too closely confine around them a portion of "the aerial element.”
(Signed)
J. CARROLL DEMPSTER, M.D.,
Colonial Surgeon.
Page 245Page 246
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