HONG KONG.
8
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
not peculiar to this place. In illustration of this opinion, I will place in juxtaposition with a case and his remarks given by Dr. Gordon, a case recorded in Johnson's work on "Tropical Climates," by Mr. Shields, which occurred in Batavia, in the month of August, 1800, together with that gentleman's remarks.
Mr. Shields' Statement. "Never was there a disease so deceitful as this fever. I have frequently seen instances where every symptom was so favourable that I could have almost pronounced my patient out of danger; when, all at once, he would be seized with restlessness, black vomiting, delirium, and convulsions, which in a few hours would hurry him out of existence!
"This was the case with Mr. Broughton, purser of the Daedalus, who died of the Batavian endemic at Edam hospital. On the seventh day of his illness he took a change for the better, and everything was promising. The morning before he died he expressed himself greatly relieved, and called for some mutton broth and sago, both of which he ate with a good appetite, spoke rationally, and was in good spirits. Towards evening the delusion vanished; restlessness, black vomiting, delirium, and convulsions supervened, and carried him off before morning!"
Dr. Gordon's Statement. "The fever was of a very malignant and insidious character, the symptoms changing for the worse suddenly, and without warning either to the medical attendant or the patient himself, although often visited, and apparently much improved, both in feeling and appearance, half an hour previous to his death; when he would suddenly become strongly convulsed, his skin intensely hot and dry, the surface assuming a livid hue; thus the scene would close!
Colour-sergeant Staley, a stout, healthy young man, was admitted on the morning of the 17th of June, in the cold stage of intermittent fever; and in about six hours had gone through all the stages of the disease. When the intermission occurred, quinine was exhibited. On the 18th he declared himself as feeling quite well, and was apyretic, his pulse not indicating even the slightest constitutional irritation.
About 4 P.M. on the 19th, I was called to see him, and found him comatose and convulsed, with lividity, intense heat, and dryness of the skin. Death closed the scene in a few minutes!"
The concourse of many people, during the reign of epidemic influence, gives pestilential violence to the disease. The emanations from the sick bodies will often precipitate a disease that may have remained dormant, or passed away in very safe paroxysms. There can be little doubt that many cases went into the Military Hospital last summer, to receive the inoculation of death from the contaminated atmosphere of the crowded wards, which would have terminated in recovery elsewhere.
Not only were the deadly emanations from concentrated disease ready to receive the patient, but his mind wandered to the crowded dead-house, and the prognosis of his own fate struck his mind at the same moment. This, in the majority of cases, was too faithful! How much it is to be regretted that there occurred any impediment to the prompt and efficient fulfilment of Dr. Fergusson's recommendation, at the earliest assaults of the disease, to isolate the cases, and to convey the uninfected men from contact with the diseased, by placing them in a floating hulk.
What were the immediate causes of the prevalence of disease during the last summer, and especially of that disease which decimated the 95th Regiment? It has been popularly conceived that the removal of earth, near the barracks, undisturbed since the Plutonic origin of this island, did all the evil. Why then did the disease remain so long undeveloped after the evolution of its imputed cause? the precise nature of which I never heard explained. Was it a gas confined within the cells of the earth, in itself innocuous, and rendered poisonous by contact and combination with the free gases floating in the external air? The supposition is ungeological. The light of a little science will show the glimmering of causes more rational than that.
Page 65
Electricity "exerts a most powerful influence upon the whole of the animal and vegetable world, and this not merely through the meteorological processes, precipitations of watery vapour, of acids, or of ammoniacal compounds which it occasions; but also immediately as the electrical force, that force which excites the nerves, and occasions or assists the circulation of the "juices."
The latitudes in which we live are peculiarly liable to thunder-storms, and the congregation of small islands, like those in these waters, surrounded by an extensive ocean, acts peculiarly on the atmosphere, and gives occasion to thunder-storms.
If those places in which lightning is common be compared with regions like Peru, where it is never seen, it will be found that evidences of the salubriousness of the latter are much greater than of the former.
The prevalence of electricity may be one of the proximate causes of local disease.
In the rear of the south range of the Hong Kong barracks there is swampy ground, saturated by the sluggish absorption of moisture from the gully above, and by occasional torrents, the waters of which rest on the surface of the table-land which terminates the ravine. This gully for many months was thickly colonized by Chinese workmen in temporary huts, whose filth descended and remained stagnant on the point alluded to, from which free gases would be perpetually evolved, ready to be elaborated into poisonous compounds, by a favourable stroke of electricity.
Epidemic diseases, however, do not necessarily derive their origin from external causes. The relative failure in the perfection of organic functions in an individual will give rise to unwholesome secretions and effluvia, which, coming in contact with the susceptible and favourable organism of another, may be the means of originating and propagating an epidemic.
The geological circumstances of this colony in many respects resemble that early condition of the globe which was suited only to living organization of a very low type. It is a mass of granite, disengulphed from the centre of the earth by ancient Plutonic causes. It is little to be wondered at that such a surface, affording no scope for that beautiful reciprocity which is so mutually beneficial between animal and vegetable respiration, and yielding only or chiefly such vegetable productions as are not refreshed by the fertilising existence and economy of herbivorous animals, but renewing itself by its own periodical decomposition, should possess abundant sources of unwholesome exhalations. While it is painful to reflect that these numerous sources of disease envelop us, it is gratifying to know that every step in the progress of civilization and refinement is a powerful antidote. In the planting of trees and shrubs, to unload the atmosphere of the carbonic acid gas, which is the product of animal respiration, and to replenish it with oxygen, which sustains and invigorates us, as well as to afford shade from the sun and a surface for the absorption of the intense rays of light conveyed to the brain through the eyes, which, not less than the direct rays of the sun's heat, tend to injure that organ, we discover a simple remedy more or less at the command of every inhabitant. The Government is called upon also to promote sanitary measures by causing the various hollows, receptacles of decomposing filth, about the town to be filled up, by covering over the great central drains, whence emanate sickly effluvia, and by planting the waste grounds in places where the plantations would afford shade and shelter. I would especially recommend the planting of the flat behind the barracks, the slopes round the church, and the Government offices, and below the general's house, which on the one side would break the strong gusts that sweep down the gully, and on the other shade the barracks from the rising and mid-day sun.
It has long been in contemplation to erect a "Sanitarium" on the hill, below the Victoria peak. The first impression of this scheme may strike a person as absurd. Attention to the following facts will clearly show, I hope, that the idea was based upon sound reason. At Penang, Singapore, and Madeira, such an institution has been erected, or contemplated, on very great elevations.
The most prevalent diseases in Hong Kong are fevers of the remittent and intermittent type, dysentery, and rheumatism. There are no circumstances so favourable for the development of either of those diseases as excessive atmospheric heat and great humidity. It has been established as a meteorological fact, admitting of no doubt, that the quantity of humidity existing in the atmosphere, as well as the temperature, diminishes with elevation. On the slopes of the Andes this fact is most apparent. On an altitude of 242 feet above the level of the sea the temperature falls one degree. In advancing one degree to the north, the same result is obtained. Thus an ascent of 242 feet is, as respects temperature, equal to a degree of latitude. In great altitudes there exist strata of climates. The citizens of the Andes may, by a comparatively short ascent, experience at pleasure every season of the most favoured climates. When it is remembered what are the invigorating effects of "change of air" on the attenuated constitution, it will be at once conceded that such facilities of obtaining it constitute a great privilege.
Page 9
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
HONG KONG,
HONG KONG.
8
REPORTS EXHIBITING THE PAST AND PRESENT
not peculiar to this place. In illustration of this opinion, I will place in juxta- position with a case and his remarks given by Dr. Gordon, a case recorded in Johnson's work on "Tropical Climates," by Mr. Shields, which occurred in Batavia, in the month of August, 1800, together with that gentleman's remarks.
Mr. Shields' Statement. "Never was there a disease so deceitful as this fever. I have frequently seen instances where every symptom was so favourable that I could have almost pronounced my patient out of danger; when, all at once, he would he seized with restlessness, black vomiting, de- lirium, and convulsions, which in a few hours would hurry him out of existence !
"This was the case with Mr. Broughton, purser of the Daedalus, who died of the Batavian endemic at Edam hospital. On the seventh day of his illness he took a change for the better, and everything was promising. The morning before he died he expressed himself greatly relieved, and called for some mutton broth and sago, both of which he ate with a good appetite, spoke rationally, and was in good spirits. Towards evening the delusion vanished; restlessness, black vomit- ing, delirium, and convulsions supervened, and carried him off before morning!"
*
*
Dr. Gordon's Statement. "The fever was of a very malignant and insidious character,
the symptoms changing for the worse suddenly, and without warning either to the medical attendant or the patient himself, although often visited, and apparently much improved, both in feeling and appearance, half an hour previous to his death; when he would suddenly become strongly con- vulsed, his skin intensely hot and dry, the surface assuming a livid hue; thus the seene would close!
Colour-sergeant Staley, a stout, healthy young man, was admitted on the morning of the 17th of June, in the cold stage of inter- mittent fever; and in about six hours had gone through all the stages of the disease. When the intermission occurred, quimne was exhibited. On the 18th he declared himself as feeling quite well, and was apyretic, bis pulse not indicating even the slightest consti- tutional irritation.
About 4 P.M.
*
*
on the 19th, I was called to see him, and found him comatose and convulsed, with lividity, intense heat, and dryness of the skin. Death closed the scene in a few minutes!"
The concourse of many people, during the reign of epidemic influence, gives pestilential violence to the disease. The emanations from the sick bodies will often precipitate a disease that may have remained dormant, or passed away in very safe paroxysms. There can be little doubt that many cases went into the Military Hospital last summer, to receive the inoculation of death from the contaminated atmosphere of the crowded wards, which would have terminated in recovery elsewhere.
Not only were the deadly emanations from con- centrated disease ready to receive the patient, but his mind wandered to the crowded dead-house, and the prognosis of his own fate struck his mind at the same moment. This, in the majority of cases, was too faithful! How much it is to be regretted that there occurred any impediment to the prompt and efficient fulfilment of Dr. Fergusson's recommendation, at the earliest assaults of the disease, to isolate the cases, and to convey the uninfected men from contact with the diseased, by placing them in a floating hulk.
What were the immediate causes of the prevalence of disease during the last summer, and especially of that disease which decimated the 95th Regiment It has been popularly conceived that the removal of earth, near the barracks, undisturbed since the Plutonic origin of this island, did all the evil. Why then did the disease remain so long undeveloped after the evolution of its imputed cause? the precise nature of which I never heard explained. Was it a gas confined within the cells of the earth, in itself innocuous, and rendered poisonous by contact and combination with the free gases floating in the external air? The supposition is ungeological. The light of a little science will show the glimmering of causes more rational than that.
<<
65
<<
<<
Electricity "exerts a most powerful influence upon the whole of the animal and vegetable world, and this not merely through the meteorological pro- cesses, precipitations of watery vapour, of acids, or of ammoniacal compounds
which it occasions; but also immediately as the electrical force, that force which excites the nerves, and occasions or assists the circulation of the "juices."
The latitudes in which we live are peculiarly liable to thunder-storms, and the congregation of small islands, like those in these waters, surrounded by an extensive ocean, acts peculiarly on the atmosphere, and gives occasion to thunder-storms.
If those places in which lightning is common be compared with regions like
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
9
Peru, where it is never seen, it will be found that evidences of the salubrious- ness of the latter are much greater than of the former.
The prevalence of electricity may be one of the proximate causes of local disease.
In the rear of the south range of the Hong Kong barracks there is swampy ground, saturated by the sluggish absorption of moisture from the gully above, and by occasional torrents, the waters of which rest on the surface of the table- land which terminates the ravine. This gully for many months was thickly colonized by Chinese workmen in temporary huts, whose filth descended and remained stagnant on the point alluded to, from which free gases would be perpetually evolved, ready to be elaborated into poisonous compounds, by a favourable stroke of electricity.
Epidemic diseases, however, do not necessarily derive their origin from external causes. The relative failure in the perfection of organic functions in an individual will give rise to unwholesome secretions and effluvia, which, coming in contact with the susceptible and favourable organism of another, may be the means of originating and propagating an epidemic.
The geological circumstances of this colony in many respects resemble that early condition of the globe which was suited only to living organization of a very low type. It is a mass of granite, disengulphed from the centre of the earth by ancient Plutonic causes. It is little to be wondered at that such a surface, affording no scope for that beautiful reciprocity which is so mutually beneficial between animal and vegetable respiration, and yielding only or chiefly such vegetable productions as are not refreshed by the fertilising existence and economy of herbivorous animals, but renewing itself by its own periodical decomposition, should possess abundant sources of unwholesome exhalations. While it is painful to reflect that these numerous sources of disease envelop us, it is gratifying to know that every step in the progress of civilization and refine- ment is a powerful antidote. In the planting of trees and shrubs, to unload the atmosphere of the carbonic acid gas, which is the product of animal respiration, and to replenish it with oxygen, which sustains and invigorates us, as well as to afford shade from the sun and a surface for the absorption of the intense rays of light conveyed to the brain through the eyes, which, not less than the direct rays of the sun's heat, tend to injure that organ, we discover a simple remedy more or less at the command of every inhabitant. The Government is called upon also to promote sanitary measures by causing the various hollows, receptacles of decomposing filth, about the town to be filled up, by covering over the great central drains, whence emanate sickly effluvia, and by planting the waste grounds in places where the plantations would afford shade and shelter. I would especially recommend the planting of the flat behind the barracks, the slopes round the church, and the Government offices, and below the general's house, which on the one side would break the strong gusts that sweep down the gully, and on the other shade the barracks from the rising and mid-day sun.
It has long been in contemplation to erect a "Sanitarium" on the hill, below the Victoria peak. The first impression of this scheme may strike a person as absurd. Attention to the following facts will clearly show, I hope, that the idea was based upon sound reason. At Penang, Singapore, and Madeira, such an institution has been erected, or contemplated, on very great elevations.
The most prevalent diseases in Hong Kong arc fevers of the remittent and intermittent type, dysentery, and rheumatism. There are no circumstances so favourable for the development of either of those diseases as excessive atmo- spherical heat and great humidity. It has been established as a meteorological fact, admitting of no doubt, that the quantity of humidity existing in the atmosphere, as well as the temperature, diminishes with elevation. On the slopes of the Andes this fact is most apparent. On an altitude of 242 feet above the level of the sea the temperature falls one degree. In advancing one degree to the north, the same result is obtained. Thus an ascent of 242 feet is, as respects temperature, equal to a degree of latitude. In great altitudes there exist strata of climates. The citizens of the Andes may, by a comparatively short ascent, experience at pleasure every season of the most favoured climates. When it is remembered what are the invigorating effects of " change of air" on the attenuated constitution, it will be at once conceded that such facilities of obtaining it constitute a great privilege.
Il D
S02
HONG KONG,
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