THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 28TH JANUARY, 1888.
SANITARY BOARD ROOM,
24th January, 1888.
79
SIR,---I have the honour to submit for the information of the Government the following report on the steps that have been taken to meet the epidemic of small-pox now raging in the Colony and to furnish in the form of an appendix a few tables showing the rise, decline, and subsequent growth of the disease from the beginning of last year.
1.-HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION.
In the early part of December when it became evident to the Civil Medical Staff that the disease was taking an epidemic form and that the permanent hospital with 8 beds at West Point would not suffice for the number of cases that would probably be sent there for treatment, a matshed with provi- sion for 16 patients was erected within the Small-pox Hospital grounds. In a few days this building was full, and as the ground allotted for small-pox wards would not allow the addition of any more wings, a part of the Civil Hospital recreation ground was enclosed to admit of the erection of two matsheds with appliances for 50 and 25 patients respectively. The Goverment Small-pox Hospital therefore provides for the reception of 99 patients. On Saturday, the 21st instant, there were 52 beds available for fresh cases.
In addition to this, the Government have sanctioned the conversion of the top storey of the Lunatic Asylum into wards for the treatment of European female patients. Of the 5 beds so provided 3 were unoccupied on the 21st instant.
As a reserve, the Lazaretto at Stone Cutters' Island, the use of which had been temporarily lent to the Military Authorities, has been vacated by the soldiers, and is now available for use at any mo- ment if required.
The Tung-wa Hospital authorities state in reply to an enquiry by the Registrar General that 76 patients can, if necessary, be treated in their small-pox wards in Taipingshan. On the 21st there were 26 vacancies in this institution.
The total Hospital accommodation, exclusive of the Lazaretto, therefore, provides for 180 cases or one bed for about every 1000 of the estimated Civil Chinese and European population of the whole. Colony.
2.-COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION.
On the 13th December the draft of a proposed Bye-law to be made under section 12 of Ordinance 7 of 1883, for making the notification of small-pox compulsory, was drawn up and circulated for the favourable consideration of the Members of the Sanitary Board. This regulation, which met with the unanimous approval of the Board, received the sanction of the Governor in Council on the 17th ultimo, and was forthwith published in English and Chinese in the newspapers and further promulgated by the distribution of posters and handbills throughout the Colony.
The issuing of this new Bye-law has enabled the staff to obtain precise information as to the course of the outbreak and to take steps for the disinfection of premises that could not possibly have been done in the absence of compulsory notification.
3.-VACCINATION.
The Sub-Committee of the Sanitary Board appointed on the 21st of December to consider this matter and consisting of the following:-
The Colonial Surgeon,
Dr. PATRICK MANSON,
Dr. JAMES CANTLIE, The Registrar General, and the undersigned,
met the next day at the Alice Memorial Hospital and resolved:
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1. That vaccination stations be established at the Government Civil Hospital, the Alice Memorial Hospital, and another in the Wan-tsai district, and that the Tungwa Hospital authorities be invited to conduct vaccinations daily.
2. That a sum of money be set aside to be used, if necessary, for rewarding parents who might be willing to bring their children for the removal of vaccine after a successful operation.
3. That the community be informed by Proclamation in English, Portuguese, and Chinese of the places and hours of vaccination as soon as arrangements could be completed for securing the necessary supplies of vaccine lymph.
In order to give effect to the recommendations of the Sub-Committee, letters were despatched to the Colonial Secretary, the Honorary Secretary of the Alice Memorial Hospital, and to the Committee of the Tung-wa Hospital, and after receiving favourable replies in support of the Sub-Committee's re- commendations, a sum of $50 was lodged at both the Civil and Alice Memorial Hospitals to be used for inducing parents to bring their children for furnishing a supply of lymph; and notifications in
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