398
THE PLAGUE AND ITS CAUSES.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE PLAGUE AND CHINESE OPPOSITION TO SANITARY MEASURES.
{May 24, 1894}
than a visitation of the plague, and in view of The possibility of objection being taken to of the present epidemic the whole question the latter was foreseen and was discussed at When the present epidemic has abated and of overcrowding ought again to be taken the meeting of the Sanitary Board. The the Colony once more as a little breathing into consideration. The outbreak now caus- Colonial Surgeon and Dr. Lowson in their joint letter said: We feel that if a deputation of the leading Chinese be taken to the Hygeia and the situation is ex- I would be rash to assume without careful once the disease has made its appear-plained to them, and also the fact that inquiry that the alterations in the drainage ance in any place it has reappeared "the patients will be in charge of their own system are responsible for the visitation, but
at longer or shorter intervals until the countrymen, no difficulty will be found in it is impossible to overlook the coincidence conditions favouring its existence have been "getting the affected people to go to the ship. that while the plague never visited the amended. We have to consider, therefore, "These cases as a rule are too ill to take care of Colony during all the years the old not only how best to cope with the present" themselves and if any difficulty is caused system was in force no sooner is the outbreak but how best to prevent any re- "then it must be met by the Government." so-called separate system brought into appearance of the disease hereafter. Choked The Hon. Ho Kai suggested that many people partial operation than the disease breaks drains, overcrowding in dwelling houses, would object to go to the Hygeia, but did not seem to have any idea of the entire strength of the objection that would be manifested. Mr. LAU WAI-CHUEN was not present at the meeting, but even if he had been it is doubtful whether he would have been able to foresee the strength of the objection any more than Dr. Ho KAI. At first some opposition should be manifested by the Chinese to the sanitary measures taken for staying the ravages of the plague is not very surprising. Modern sanitation is a science of which the ordinary Chinese coolie has no comprehension or appreciation, and when it is carried to the extent of an official house to house inspection and the compulsory removal of the sick he is inclined to rebel. The present emergency is one, however, in which the Government must stand firm on all essential points and not yield to popular clamour, but on the other hand, where the prejudices and sentiments of the
natives can be yielded to without danger common humanity indicates a conciliatory policy, for there can be no desire to add to the fearful scourge now afflicting the native community any avoidable grievances.
The most sincere sympathy is felt both by the Government and the European community with the natives in the affliction which has fallen upon them and the general feeling will be that they should be humoured as far as is consistent with the safety of themselves and the community at large.
From the beginning the Chinese have shown the greatest possible repugnance to the removal of the sick to the Hygeia. If the disease were amenable to the treatment by the Western system of medicine and which the Chinese themselves were unable to treat there would be some reason for insisting upon the patients being placed under the care of European doctors, but out of a hundred and ten admissions to the Hygeia and the Kennedytown Hospital during the five days from noon on Tuesday to noon on Sunday there have been ninety deaths, which shows that medical treatment has little effect upon the disease.
The Chinese have more faith in their own system, and although their tales of the large number of cures effected at Canton may be readily discounted it may be conceded that in a purely Chinese hospital the mortality would not be likely to be greater than it has been on the Hygeia and at Kennedytown.
The chief object of the removal of the sick is their segregation, and the Chinese having undertaken to establish hospital of their own at the Glassworks, where the segregation will be as perfect as at the Government establishments, there can be no reasonable objection to all the cases being taken there.
The sick will probably have as good a chance of recovering there as on the Hygeia and they will be better satisfied with their surroundings.
It is, of course, easy to be wise after the event, but it is a pity that at the commencement, provision was not made for a purely Chinese hospital where the sick could be effectively segregated instead of utilising the Hygeia.
...
3
RUSSIA AND KOREA.
(
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
a
197
THE PLAGUE.
401
16th May.
May 24, 1894.
military strength, the extension of civil liberty, the growth of intelligence, and the progress of science and art. The Government's policy, he said, was to open the country, whereas the movement he was combating, if not actually an anti-foreign movement, was at least a reversion to the isolation policy of the Bakufu, a policy incompatible with the national and fundamental programme of opening the country.
...
QUARANTINE.
It must be admitted that the authorities here are doing everything in their power to stamp out the disease and put in sanitary order the districts which are particularly favourable to its spread.
The police officers, led by their energetic chief Mr. P. H. May, are indefatigable in the discharge of an arduous and disagreeable - it may be said actually dangerous - duty.
Several more special sanitary officers have been enrolled, and the work has been thoroughly organised.
The house to house visitation continues and cases were discovered and removed to the Hygeia.
Twenty-seven deaths from plague occurred during the twenty-four hours ending at noon on Tuesday.
Of these twelve took place on board the Hygeia, five in the Kennedytown Hospital, and ten in outside districts.
Of the latter, four occurred in the Tung Wah Hospital, two in Queen's Road West, and one in Victoria Street (on the east side of the new Central Market).
There was also the death in Wanchai Road, noted elsewhere, which may be attributed to the plague.
From this it will be seen that the disease is not confined to one limited locality or any circumscribed area, but has manifested itself in various directions, suggesting a danger to the whole colony.
The leading medical authorities of all civilized countries recognise that quarantine for this disease is unnecessary.
This itself ought to be sufficient to destroy confidence in the efficacy of quarantine as a sanitary precaution.
It may be hoped, however, now that the welcome ruin has made its appearance that the plague will speedily abate as it has done in other places when vigorous sanitary measures have been taken and clean bills of health will be again issued.
In the meantime it is satisfactory to learn that at Japanese ports it is not intended to impose quarantine unless sickness has actually broken out on board.
From noon on the 4th to noon on the 15th twelve new patients were admitted to the Hygeia, four new cases to the Kennedytown Hospital, and there were under treatment - on the Hygeia 16, in Kennedytown Hospital 25, Tung Wah Hospital, none.
Total 41.
We are glad to learn that Dr. Lowson has recovered from his indisposition and has resumed his duties.
A number of dead animals have been found lying about the streets, to all appearance victims of the plague.
It will be remembered that the medical officers noted the fact that animals living near the ground are peculiarly subject to the disease.
The Kennedytown Police Station has been transformed into a temporary hospital for the reception of patients which the Hygeia is not able to accommodate.
The mat shed erected at Kennedytown will not be used unless the necessities of the case require it.
Among the deaths reported on Tuesday was that of an old woman in Wanchai Road.
398
THE PLAGUE AND ITS CAUSES.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE PLAGUE AND CHINESE OP- POSITION TO SANITARY MEASURES.
{May 24, 1894,
than a visitation of the plague, and in view The possibility of objection being taken to of the present epidemic the whole question the latter was foreseen and was discussal at When the present epidemic has abated and of overcrowding ought again to be taken the meeting of the Sanitary Board. The the Codony once more as a little breathing into consideration. The outbreak now caus- Colonial Surgeon and Dr. Lowson in ther theas condni bestutation as to the origining such distress will no doubt work itself joint letter said: We feel any that if a of the A suise and the couditia kych bave out in a few weeks, but the history of the deputation of the leading Chinese be taken favograd is spread should be instituted. plague elsewhere teaches us that when to the Hygeia and the situation is ex- I would be rash to assume without careful once the disease has made its appear-plained to them, and also the fact that inquiry that the alterations in the drainage ance in any place it has reappeared "the patients will be in charge of their own system are responsible for the visitation, but
at longer or shorter-intervals until the countrymen, no difficulty will be found in it is impossible to overlook the coincidence conditions favouring its existence have been "getting the affected people to go to the ship. that while the plague never visited the ameuded. We have to consider, therefore, "These cases as a rule are too ill to of Colony during al the years the old
not only how best to cope with the present" themselves and if any difficulty is caused system was in force no sooner is the outbreak but how best to prevent any re-
"then it must be met by the Government." so-called separato, avstem bought into
appearance of the disease hereafter. Choked The Hon. Ho Karsuggested that many people partial operation than the disease breaks drains, overcrowding in dwelling houses, would object to go to the Hygeia, but did out with great virulence, sweeping away and all other insanitary conditions must be not
Beem to bave Aly idea of the entire families. It may be that the danger holdly and effectively dealt with.
strength of the objection that would be lies in the transition period and that as soon
Taanifested. Mr. LAU WAI-CHUEN was not as the separate system is fully established
present at the meeting, but even if he had it will realise all the expectations enter.
been it is doubtful whether he would have tained regarding it, or it may be that the
been able to foresee the strength of the primary causes of the plague must be sought
objection any more than Dr. Ho KAI. At for elsewhere than in the drainage, though Thst some opposition should be mauifested all events, the Hygeia was decided upon, and defects in the latter naturally favour the by the Chinese to the sanitary measures next day, when it was seen the accommoda- spread of disease. At the reent meeting taken for staying the ravages of the plague tion afforded by the bulk might prove of the Sanitary Board the Sanitary Surveyor, is not very surprising. Modern sanitation insufficient, it was decided also to build a in reply to questions, s'ated that in one or is a science of which the ordinary Chinese matabed at Kennedytown. The objection two cases the main sowers at the western coolie has no comprehension er appreciation, of the Chinose to the latter seems to be end of the town were ch ked up at their and when it is carried to the extent of an almost as great as to the Hygeia itself. When lower ends, that they could not be effectively official house to house inspection and the Dr. AYBES and Dr. Lowson spoke in their Rushed, and that they had not been touched compulsory removal of the sick he is inclined letter of the patients being in charge of their on acquant of the reclamation. From this to rebel. The present emergency is one, bow- own countrymen they were of course referring it would appear that the sewers in question ever, in which the Government must stand to the fact that the nurses would be Chinese, can be nothing better than elongated cess firm on all essential points and not yield to but the hospitals have been in charge pools. Presumably they were old sewers bat popular clamour, but on the other hand, of European doctors and conducted on E- Mr. CROOK was referring to, though there is a where the prejudices and sentiments of the
ropean, not on native, lines; and that suspicion that some of the new ones are natives can be yielded to without danger the Burses were Chinese does not seem little if any better. But whether new or common humanity indicates a conciliatory 10 have weighed much with the native old the sewers ought not to have been policy, for there can be no desire to add to the community. There is now to be a allowed to fall into the condition described. fearful scourge now afflicting the native Chinese hospital, and the only point of purely It would have been a simple matter., and not community any avoidable grievances. regret is that the concession should not very expensive, to have constructed an The most sincere sympathy is felt boh have been made before instead of after intercepting swer to carry off the sewage by the Government and the European com- the opposition of the native community had at these points. It will be years before the re-munity with the natives in the affliction reached the point of violence. With reference clamation is finished and to allow the sewers which has fallen upon them and the, general to the house to house inspection, however, and to become choke! up and remain so during feeling will be that they should be humoured the sanitary measures to be taken in respect the continuance of that great work must rank as far as is consistent with the safety of of premises where cases of the plague as nothing short of criminal recklessness. It themselves and the community at large. are discovered, it will be impossible to can hardly be supposed that such a thing would From the beginning the Chinese have ind make any material concession to native pre be allowed under a Municipal Council, in the greatest possible repugnance to the judice. The inspection must be continued, which the representatives of the ratepayers removal of the sick to the Hygeia. If the and be conducted thoroughly, as long as woxid have executive control over the affairs disease were
was amenable to the plague continues, even if it be necessary oze which the city, but at present the feeling of the treatment by the Western system of medi- to employ military guards for the protection public serius to be that it does not want cine and which the Chinese themselves were
of the sanitary officers. It is not likely, to be bothered with the exercise of any unable to treat there would be some rea- however, that any such extreme step as executive control and that increased re-son for insisting upon the patients being calling for the assistance of the military will
on the more "showy presentation
but placed under the care of European doctors, become necessary. If care be taken to let less useful Legislative Council will meet all fat out of a hundred and ten admissions to the Chinese understand the object of the requirements. Setting aside all political the Hygeia and the Kennedytown Hospital inspection and that it is made entirely questions, however, a general enquiry into during the five days from noon on Tuesday in their own interests, and the inspec the drainage system seems to be called for. to noon on Sunday there have been tion itself be made with as much re- The public have a right to know who is aivety deaths, which shows that medical gard to native feelmgs and prejudices as responsible for the choked drains, whether treatment has little effect upon the disease. the circumstances admit of, probably no th new system of drainage is as fully The Chinese have more faith in
really serious collision will occur.
If un- adapted to the requirements of the Colony own system, and although their tales of the fortunately the opposition should again as it has been represented, and whether large number of cures ffected at Canton break out into violence, the Government any and it so what steps should be taken must be largely discounted it may be readily must be prepared to take whatever measures to compel hongeowners to connect with coureded that in a purely Chinese hospital the public safety may seem to require. the public drains. The inquiry might the mortality would not be likely to be with advantage le extended 40 a8 to greater than it has been on the Hygeia and cover all questions of sanitation, includat Kennedytown, The chief object of the ing that of overcrowding. The pro-removal of the sick is their segregation, So long as it was "a forbidden land" and visions of the Public Health Act on the and the Chinese having undertaken "hermit kingdom" a certain halo of last named subject have hitherto been to establish hospital of their own romance and a degree of mystery clung to allowed to remain a dead letter, and the at the Glassworks, where the segrega Korea. More intimate acquaintance with house to house inspection now in progress tion will be as perfect as at the Go- the peninsular Kingdom has robbed it of hạa revealed, it is reported, a most alarming|vernment establishments, there can be no most of the mystery, and the opening up of amount of overcrowding. A year or two reasonable objection to all the cases being the country to trade has denuded it of much ape the "soitary Board framed by-laws for token there. The sick will probably have as of the romance. It was served, however common fodging houses with the object of good a chance of recovering there as on the for foreign travellers to strip Korea of the severing a certain amount of cubic space for Hygeia and they will be better satisfied with last vestiges of mystery and reveal it in its exchi accapust, but they were not euforced their surroundings. It is, of course, easy, naked simplicity and squalor to the Western taguse tu olies, not appreciating the boon to be wise after the evout, but it is a pity eye. Mr. CARLES did very much to make atended to be conferred upon them, and io, that at the commencemeut, provision was the real Korea known by the account be stigated no doubt by the interested keepers not made for a purely Chinese hospi- gave of his travels in it, and his narrative is of the hosts, threatened to strike. A tal where the sick could be effectively now supplemented by that of Captain coolle strike would be a vastly leaner ovil'segregated instead of utilising the Hygein. CAVENDISHI of the Argyll and Sutherland
3
their
a
RUSSIA AND KOREA.
(
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
a
197
THE PLAGUE.
401
16th May.
May 24, 1994. military strength, the extension of civil cholera in the East signed a convention liberty, the growth of intelligence, and the which, according to the Times description of
Although it cannot do said that the plague has progress of science and art. The Govern it, "aims at extending to the East, especiall
as yet assumed any very alarming proportions in ment's policy, he said, was to open the" in regard to the pilgrim traffic through the
"Red Sea and Arabia, the convention for itself, the fact that it exists and that the mea country, whereas the movement he was
"preventing the spread of cholera agreed sares fa en have not had the immediate off at of combaiting, if not actually au anti-foreign
"apon for Europe at the Cholera Confer checking or stamping out the disease coustilates movement, was at least a reversion to the
"ence of the Powers hell in Venice and a very grave dxogor to the port and a serious isolation policy of the Bakufu, a policy
"Dresden in 1892 and 1898, the real pria loss and inconvenience to the shipping frequent. incompatible with the national and funda. mental programme of opening the country, "ciple of which was to give up the ancient ing it. The first indication that the stormship "and wrong principle of treating ships companies would anticipate trophie at further as followed ever since the Restoration. Com-
"according to the health of the ports from paris of call by reason of the prevalence hora of so ftai adisesse as this bubonic plagras 18 bating the argument that treaty revision
which they sailed or touched at on their given on Tuesday when the M. M. Company could be forced on by the movement under
It is aimed at doing away with intimated that they could Beither take notice, Mr. Mursu expressed the belief that "voyages.
cargo or passengers per the Yurra. This such potty measures and such a small policy" the old powers and measures of quarun-
isa serious matter, but it is not improbable would be totally inefficacious to accomplish tine, by which ships which had sailed half-
"way round the world were quarantined, if the colony is not seen declared fren that other that object. "In fact," he proceeded, “ in "order to ccomplish the object of treaty "although daring the voyage not a single companies wil perfores have to follow suit, and case of illness occurred on board during geral dislocation of traffic ensue. Saigon "revision it is neessary to furnish foreign
bas already imposed ten days' quarantine 64 "Powers with proofs that Japan's progress "the interval since they left a port where Hongkong vessels, and it is very likely that "cholera was known to exist Under the the Manila authorities will be among the first " and civilization truly make her in Asia an
"old system such a ship might be quaran to similarly restrict vessels arriving from "exception.div enlightened and powerful
contry. The evidences hitherto given to tined for many days at the port of Hongkong." and all phons within a work's "arrival if any epidemic existed at the journey will probably also deem a similar strp foreign Powers that Japan is a State quite
utatier of necessary for their protection. The Australian exceptional in Asia are the results which "port of departure. As
colonies would sourcely be justifid in doing she has attained by following, ever since "fact, uo better quarantine exists than a the Restoration, a national policy of open-
"sea voyage
now with quickly moving, taking into account the length of the sea voy-ga from here, but they are notori sbips through the salt-laden air, and the onely particular in these matters, and might ing the country." The speaker expressed bis aspiration for treaty revision, bat, he said, "delegates believe that, even if it were not prescriue quarantine for a short period. In "so, it is impossible to erect harriers to Hongkong itself a rigorous examination of Japan must look to enter the family of civi
All that can all outive passengers is being mada, aud the ized and powerful uations by observing the disease by the old methods. rules of reciprocal courtesy and respect which "be done now is to prevent people actually boals from Canton and Macao are subjected to a thorough inspection. This of course is a constitute the ties that bind that family suffering from disease from freely circulating ichly necessary proceeding, as the opinion is
to have This speech seems
"in the country, and the principal point in
beid in some quarters that the disease may have together. had
for the whole convention is that only the sick been introduced into the colony by Chinese who its effect the country,
on
"will be detained on landing." This is the led from the plague-stricken districts of Chaton the new House of Representatives has negatived the principle of strict enforcement principle which should be applied univer to the scarcely more healthy native quarter bere, of the treaties, though by what majority we sally, not only in the case of cholera, but in have not yet learnt. Probably the majority all diseases. Some authorities, we believe,
very large one. The Jiji, in a while admitting the uselessness of quaran forecast it published a short time ago of the time in the case of cholera, maintam thu it course of events during the present session, affords protection against the introduction estimated that on this particular question of certain other diseases, amongst which the four or five independent members would bubonic plague has been mentioned. But torm the scale.'" Whatever its majority, this is a position which we should think it would be difficult to maintain. The disease bosever, the Government has scored a victory on what Mr. Mursu termed "the is one of poverty and filth and cau fiod no "great fundamental policy of the Empire." lodgment except in insanitary surroundings, It is gratifying to find that the anti-foreign and the period of its incubation is a very Hygeia The difficuly noted the other day of overcome. Flashing of the drains proceeds all teeling, though strong, is not held by the short one. If a vessel from Hongkong arrives covering the patients to the wharf bus been majority of the national representatives. say at Saigon without sickness on board it day, and it is to be hoped that what is being so The result of the vote gives some ground may be taken for granted that no ease of the generally well done will soon have the desired for hoping that the recent ebullition of anti-disease, would declare itself amongst her pos- effect of ridung us of so unwelcome a visitor as foreigu feeling may prove to have been but transitory and that there will be no cheek to the extension of Japan's foreign relatious.
WAS not a
QUARANTINE.
It must be admitted that the authorities here are doing everything in their power to stamp out the disease and put in sanitary order the di: tricts The police offteers, led by their energetic chi f Mr. which are particularly favourable to its s reail. P. H. May, are indefatigable in the disc targ of an arduou and disagreeable-pot is say actually dangerous-duty. Saver more special stary officers have boen eurolled. and the work has been thoroughly organised. The house several to house visitation continues an
were diseny red and removed to Cases
the
sengers after arrival, and if unfortunately the; the plague. discuse should have declared itself on the roy- age segregation of the sick on arrival would sufficiently meet the case, for the disease is said to be very slightly infectious if at all. There is nothing in the conditions now pres Quarantine is subject which unfor- vailing in Hongkong to warrant the colony's tunately at the present moment possesses a being cut off from free communication with very practical importance for Hongkong other countries. The loss and suffering re- The French mail line basalready stopped carry-sulting in the past from quarantine against ing passengers and cargo from this port "in "order to avoid sani ary difficulties in further "ports," and if all the other lines were to acort the same policy residents would find themselves in the disagreeable position of be- ing unable to leave the place, no matter what urgent business they might have elsewhere. while merchants would suffer loss by resou of their inability to forward goods. Ship owners of course have to study their own interest, and it is for them to decide whether they will ca 1 at any particular port or not. But the fact that a great steamship line has thought it necessary to avoid Hongkong in view of the presence of the so-called plague brings into protamence the hardship and unreasonableness of the quarantine regola- The tous still imposed in many parts. principle of quarantine is, however, gradual ly becoming discredited. Great Br tain long ago gave up the practice and other countries origne a disposition to follow her example. The recent International Sanitary Conference held at Paris to consider the best means of preventing the spread of
Twenty-seven deaths from plagne occurred during the twenty-four hours ending at poos on Tuesday. Of these twelve took place on board the Hygeia five in the Kennedytown Hospital, and ten in outside districts. Of the latter, four occurred in the Tung Wah Hospital, two in Queen's Road West, and one in Victoria Street (on the east side of the new Central Market There was also the ath in Wanehi Road, noted elsewhere, which may be attributed to the cholera has been incalculable, and now the plague. From this it will be seen the the Gau no longer be said to avail leading medical anthorities of all civilized disease
in one limited locality or any circumscribed area, countries recognise that qua line for that but has manifested itself in various direc ions. disease is annecesary. This itself ought suggesting a danger to the whole colony to be sufficient to destroy confidence in the efficacy of quarantine as a sanitary breean. tion. It may be hoped, however, now that the welcome ruin has made its appearance that the plague will speedily abate as it in a very short time clean hills of helt will be again issued. In the neantime it is satisfactory to learn that at flo Japane ports it is not intended to in pose grarantive unless sickness has actually broken out on board.
In the April mugher of the Cosmopolitan Illustrated Magazine appeared a story by Sewall Rosd called Grimm's Bungalow," which will be of interest to China readeis, is omded upon life in China. The story is burnt fully Mustrated Fewalt Bond is the w 2 of the US Consul et Tientsin, Mr. Sheridan P. d.
Mrs. Read contributes frequently to high class į periodicals like The Cosmopolitan.
From
nos on the 4th to noon on the 15th twelve new Digesters admitted on to the Hygeia, four new eros to the Kennedytown Hospital, and there We p under treatment-on the Hygein 16, in Kennedytown Hospital 25, Tang Wah Hos- We are glad to learn that Dr Lowson bas pital, nope. Total 41 revered from his indisposition and has reg smed bis duties.
A number of dead animals have been fand lying about the streets, to all appearance vic- tims of the plague. It will be rem mbered that the medical offleers noted the fact that animals living near the ground are peculiarly subject to the disease.
The Kennedytown Police Station has been tr: nsformed into a temporary hospital for the rception of patients which Le Hygeia is op- able to recommedate. The matshed erected at Kenedytown will not le used unless the ne cessities of the case require it.
Among the deaths reported on Therday waE the tachi No. 16, Wenchai Hoad, se old wolk
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