SCI
0
No. 61
Hongkong.
sir.
175 182
Government House,
Hongkong, 4th. February, 19083 MAL O
With reference to your Despatch No. 422
M
of the 11th. ultimo, regarding the proposed grant of a gratuity 50331
Cto George Mitchell, late sick berth Steward in the Royal Navy,
I have the honour to invite your attention to Inspector-General
Knott's letter of July 18th.. 1898, a copy of which appears
among the enclosures to your Despatch. In that letter Inspector
General Knott expresses the opinion that the opthalmia con-
tracted by Mr. Mitchell was caused by his having been inoculated
by flies which had previously settled on the eyes of plague
patients.
2.
I referred the question as to whether
opthalmia could be caused in this way, to Dr. Atkinson, who
reports that purulent conjunctivitis is rare as a complication
of plague, but occurs occasionally, and that it is possible
that Mr. Mitchell was se infected. He adds, however, that
during four outbreaks of plague he has never seen anyone
infected in the manner suggested.
3.
Before deciding whether the case is one which calls for the consideration of the Legislative Council,
I have to suggest that Dr. Lowson, who probably remembers
Mitchell, be asked for his opinion as to whether the suggestion
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
made by Inspec tor-General Knott may be presumed to be a THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
valid
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