CO129-292 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [6-8] — Page 158

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large number of the Chinese houses in Victoria, and the over-

crowding, especially in cubicles, render the work of the Sani-

tary Board very difficult.I have given orders for the imme-

diate erection of four public latrines, as this is, I am satis-

fied, of cardinal importance. A bill for securing that all hou-

ses shall have proper ventilation, and for the suppression of

insanitary dwellings of which a very large number still exist,

is now before the Legislative Council, and will I hope be pass-

ed during the coming month. In the meantime the Sanitary Board

have exercised their power fully of bringing offenders before the Magistrate, and having closed 202 houses considered unfit

for habitation.

6. As to the treatment of Plague, I do not think

that any medical efforts can be said to be successful with

Chinese, who seem to abandon hope when stricken with the disea- se. With Europeans it is different, as the hubonic form appears to yield to timely treatment, but the pneumonic form is usually

fatal.

I regret to have to report that two of the Eu- ropean Sanitary Inspectors have been attacked, but happily both

have recovered.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient

Humble Servant,

Henry alake

GOVERNOR, &C.