1854 — Page 111

#PUBLIC RICORD OFFICE

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COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO | BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

202.

Having carefully examined the Streets, Lanes, and several of the dwellings of the poorer classes (Natives) in Victoria, with a view to sanitary improvement, I beg to submit the following remarks. However, before so doing, I must express my regret that Hongkong should present so much filth and so many nuisances, the more especially as its site is in many respects well adapted for Drainage and Sewerage. In carrying out my assertions it will be only necessary for me to report on the Taiping-shang district. The Lanes (certainly not streets) are in a most objectionable state, containing almost invariably cowsheds, pigaties, stagnant pools-the receptacles of every kind of filth, all which nuisances have remained unheeded for a considerable time,

In this District are two large open Drains, which at all times are most offensive. These Drains receive all the refuse of the District through which they pass, and being open through most of their course (excepting where 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 fitby state, and great complaints are made of the offensive effluvia (dripping through the walle) by almost every European passer-by. The great want of Privies and raitable 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 Inbabitants of Hongkong. but must be sources of annoyance to those living in the adjacent neighbourhood. 1st. I am therefore of opinion that Victoria is in need of Drainage and Sewerage, of better Paring and Scavengering.

2d. 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.

3d. That Disease prevails most where the Dwellings are overcrowded, and where little if any attention is paid to cleanliness, ventilation, and drainage.

4th. 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.

5th. That the absence of Sanitary measures in Hongkong leads to the develope- ment and dissemination of disease.

It is well known that damp and dirt, that nuisances of all kinds and particularly animal and vegetable matter in a state of decomposition, are circumstances that favor the propagation of disease. Whatever renders the atmosphere impure, impairs the health, and predisposes the body to disease, and where numbers of sick are crowded together in close, dirty, and unventilated rooms, discase 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 become a dirty "puddle, so should we destroy or injure human beings when we too closely confine

around them a portion of the Aerial clement.”

J. CARROLL DEMPSTER, M.D. Colonial Surgeon.

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