377
A
18.
And so we come to the end of the story of the Great Plague of 1894. Never again, it is safe to say, will Hongkong experience such a disaster. When the Hongkong authorities realised the seriousness of the epidemic in Canton, they took the precautions usual at that time. Unfortunately, they were hampered by ignorance of the cause of the plague. Rats and fleas on rats were never suspected as carriers of the disease, for up to 1894 no opportunity had presented itself for scientific research on modern lines into the causes of Bubonic Plague.
The plague made its appearance here in subsequent years, but the knowledge gained in that first great fight of 1894 proved invaluable in combatting future epidemics.
A brief summary of the plague may be permissible in this final article on the subject. The disease assumed epidemic form on May 9, 1894, following one of the worst droughts in the Colony's history. In all probability it was imported from Yunnan, Pakhoi or Canton, where it existed in endemic form for many years. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, there were 2,833 cases reported in the Colony and 2,550 deaths, or a mortality of 90 per cent. The high rate of mortality is probably due, in part, to understatement in the number of cases. Concealment was practised by the Chinese, who suffered most, and it was easier to conceal sickness than death. House-to-house visitations were made by the authorities and this practice caused a good deal of resentment among the Chinese. The plague was finally stamped out in September.
There were severe epidemics of Bubonic Plague in 1896, 1898 and 1899, but in none of these years was the 2,000 mark reached in the number of cases reported. The mortality was highest in 1899. In that year 1,486 cases were reported and 1,415 deaths occurred.
Some of my readers may recall an early reference to the one and only mass poisoning case in the history of Hongkong (See 26/6/33). This occurred during the administration of Sir John Bowring and had remarkable features. Briefly, the bread supplied one morning to the Europeans in the Colony by Ah Lum, a baker, was poisoned with arsenic. Hundreds of residents became very ill, but none died as a result. It was stated at the time that so much arsenic had been used that it acted as an emetic rather than a fatal dose.
Many other cases of criminal poisoning are contained in the records of the Hongkong police. Lecturing before the Odd Volumes Society in April, 1896, the Government Analyst, Mr. W. E. Crow reviewed some of the most famous cases.
4
In 1894, a bowl of curried fowl was analysed at the request of the Principal Army Medical Officer and was found to contain 84.38 grains of orpiment.
The curry had been prepared for one of the Lascar Artillery-men. In 1895, a similar case was investigated; this time from the Hongkong Regiment. A quantity of food was found to have been mixed with 33 grains of orpiment. Luckily, neither case proved fatal.
377
A
18.
And so we come to the end of the story of the Great Plague of 1894, Never again, it is safe to say, will Hongkong experience such a disaster. When the Hongkong authorities realised the seriousness of the epidemic in Canton, they took the precautions usual at that time. Unfortunately, they were hampered by ignorance of the cause of the plague. Rats and fleas on rats were never suspected as carriers of the disease, for up to 1894 no opportunity had presented itself for scientific research on modern lines into the causes of Bubonic Plague.
The plague made its appearance here in subsequent years, but the knowledge gained in that first great fight of 1894 proved invaluable in combatting future epidemics.
A brief summary of the plague may be permissible in this final article on the subject. The disease assumed epidemic form on May 9, 1894, following one of the worst droughts in the Colony's history. In all probability it was imported from Yunnan, Pakhoi or Canton, where it existed in endemic form for many years. According to the Encyclopaedia j Britannica, there were 2,833 cases reported in the Colony and 2,550 deaths, or a mortality of 90 per cent. The high rate of mortality is probably due, in part, to understatement in the number of cases. Concealment was practised by the Chinese, who suffered most, and it was easier to conceal sickness than death. House-to-house visitations were made by the authorities and this practice caused a good deal of resentment among the Chinese. The plague was finally stamped out in September.
There were severe epidemics of Bubonic Plague in 1896, 1898 and 1899, but in none of these years was the 2,000 mark reached in the number of cases reported. The mortality was highest in 1899. In that year 1,486 cases were reported and 1,415 deaths occurred..
Some of my readers may recall an early reference to the one and only mass poisoning case in the history of Hongkong (See 26/6/33). This occurred during the administration of Sir John Bowring and had remarkable features. Briefly, the bread supplied one morning to the Europeans in the Colony by Ah Lum, a baker, was poisoned with arsenic. Hundreds of residents became very ill, but none died as à result. It was stated at the time that so much arsenic had been used that it acted as an emetic rather than a fatal dose.
Many other cases of criminal poisoning are contained in the records of the Hongkong police. Lecturing before the Odd Volumes Society in April, 1896, the Government Analyst, Mr.W.E. Crow reviewed some of the most famous C8889.
4
In 1894, a bowl of curried fowl was analysed at the request of the Principal Army Medical Officer and was found to contain 84.38 grains of orpiment.
The curry had been prepared for one of the Lascar Artillery-nen. In 1895, a similar case was investigated; this time from the Hongkong Regiment. A quantity of food was found to have been mixed with 33 grains of orpiment. Luckily, neither case proved fatal.
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