THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 30TH NOVEMBER, 1895.
GENERAL REmarks.
1197
23. Although it may appear somewhat hazardous in the case of a disease like the bubonic plague, as to the origin and spread of which so little is known, we think it probable that the Colony has now seen the last of the disease in 1895. The widespread fear that the outbreak in Heung Lane was but the beginning of a formidable epidemic has happily not been realised. Twenty-six cases are known to have occurred; all died. If the particulars specified in appendix B are closely examined it will be found that among the later cases the disease showed no signs of abatement in point of virulence. The experience of this year would seem to demonstrate that the disease was nipped in the bud, and an epidemic averted by the prompt removal and segregation of the inmates and the disinfection and cleansing of the infected premises. The drastic measures it was deemed necessary to adopt were fully justified by the nature of, and the circumstances attending the outbreak.
24. The question here very naturally arises what are the prospects of a recurrence of the disease in the early spring of next year? A vast improvement in the sanitary condition of the Colony has unquestionably been effected during the last 12 months, but much still remains to be done. In our opinion no measure of sanitary reform calls for more prompt and vigorous action than that of clearing away the obstructions in back-yards and in the back parts of premises so as to provide a suitable and adequate area for the admission of light and air. This has been done already in many houses in the City. In Heung Lane the sanitary character of the houses, in which cases of plague originated, has been completely changed by this simple and by no means costly structural alteration. We submit that no consideration of Departmental economy should be allowed to interfere with the early carrying out of this most desirable reform.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servants,
WM. C. H. HASTINGS, Acting Captain Superintendent of Police.
W. EDWARD Crow, Assistant Secretary and Superintendent.
Appendix A.
Number of inspections of houses made by 3 sections (A, B and C) of Police and Soldiers from 1st to 15th June.
Section.
Nos. of Health Districts.
Strength of party. Lodging houses. Tenement houses.
Total.
A
1, 2 and 4
419
2,225
2,644
B
5
9
763
1,257
2,020
C
6, 7 and 8
9
2,957
532
3,489
Grand Total,.
27
4,139
4,014
8,153
Number of inspections of houses made by one section of Police and Soldiers from the 16th June to the 31st July,
Period.
Nos. of Health Districts.
Strength of party. Lodging houses. Tenement houses.
Total.
16th to 30th June
6, 7 and 8
1st to 31st July
various
635
1,442
2,077
874
4,043
4,917
Grand Total....
9
1,509
5,485
6,994
Number of passengers arriving from Canton watched to their destination by one Section (B) of Police and Soldiers,
Period,
No. of passengers,
21st October, 1895.
June 1st to 15th.
June 16th to 30th.
July 1st to 31st.
1,451
1,414
3,141
Total.
6,006
W. EDWARD CROW,
Assistant Secretary and Superintendent.
Appendix B.
CASES OF BUBONIC PLAGUE REPORTED DURING 1895.
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