365
6.
At its meeting on May 10, the Hongkong Sanitary Board discussed the possibility of the epidemic affecting Hongkong. Dr. H. Kai, Mr. Lau Wai-chun and Mr. J.J. Francis, Q.C. urged that precautions be taken immediately and the Colonial Surgeon said the a thorough cleansing of the Chinese quarters would take place.
The Hongkong Telegraph saw the writing on the wall and demanded the strictest supervision of households, pointing out that the disease could not exist side by side with cleanliness.
On May 10, the Officer Administering the Government (Hon. Mr. O'Brien) issued a proclamation, declaring Hong Kong to be an infected port.
A Permanent Committee of the Sanitary Board, consisting of three members, assisted by Dr. Lowson, Dr. Penny, R.N., and Surgeon-Major James was appointed to frame necessary by-laws and regulations. Special hospitals were established, (1) on board the Hygeia (2) at Kennedy Town Police Station, and (3) at the Glass Works, Kennedy Town. The first two were managed by Government doctors and nurses from the Government Hospital. The latter was handed over to the Tung Wah Hospital Committee and was worked by Chinese doctors under the supervision of the Colonial Medical Staff and a naval doctor (Dr. Penny).
The first great obstacle in the way of stamping out the plague was the foolish and violent prejudices of the Chinese against Western Medical men. For weeks after the plague broke out, they hid their sick and often deserted their plague-stricken friends and relatives after death.
Under these circumstances, the necessity for a vigorous house-to-house visitation became most apparent, and the military and naval authorities, under Major-General Barker and Commodore Boyes, at the suggestion of the Government, rendered every possible assistance in this direction. Naval and military doctors were furnished and at least 300 men from the Shropshire Regiment, and officers and men from the Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery were amongst others detailed for the duty of house-to-house visitation and for cleaning and disinfecting the houses in which plague had occurred.
Against these house-to-house visits, the Chinese rose up in arms and made bitter, though mostly false complaints to the authorities. Complaints were made that the privacy of women's apartments were being invaded and that women and children were being "frightened out of their wits" by the daily visits of the military and police. Then it began to be rumoured that the "foreigners" had sinister and unspeakable designs on the women and children.
An inquiry into these complaints was held, and it was found that they were without foundation. Chinese agitation continued, however, and eventually a large deputation waited on the Governor, Sir William Robinson (who had just returned from a holiday in Japan), requesting that the house-to-house visitations should cease and that the Chinese might take their sick away from the Hygeia in the harbour and from the Kennedy Town Hospital.
Page 95
Page 96
365
6.
At its meeting on May 10, the Hongkong Sanitary Board discussed the possibility of the epidemic affecting Hongkong. Dr. H. Kai, Mr. Lau Wai-chun and Mr.J.J.Francis, Q.C. urged that precautions be taken immediately and the Colonial Surgeon said the a thorough cleansing of the Chinese quarters would take place.
The Hongkong Telegraph saw the writing on the wall and demanded the strictest supervision of households, pointing out that the disease could not exist side by side with cleanliness.
On May 10, the Officer Administering the Government (Hon.Mr.O'Brien) issued a proclamation, declaring Hong Kong to be an infected port.
A Permanent Committee of the Sanitary Board, consisting of three members, assisted by Dr. Lowson, Dr. Penny, R.N., and Surgeon-Major James was appointed to frame necessary by- laws and regulations. Special hospitals were established, (1) on board the Hygeia (2) at hennedy Town Police Station, and (3) at the Glass Works, hennedy Town. The first two were managed by Government doctors and nurses from the Government Hospital. The latter was handed over to the Tung Wah Hospital Committee and was worked by Chinese doctors under the supervision of the Colonial Medical Saff and a naval doctor (Dr. Penny).
The first great obstacle in the way of stamping out the plague was the foolish and violent prejudices of the Chinese against Western Medical men. For weeks after the plague broke out, they hid their sick and often deserted their plague stricken friends and relatives after death.
Under these circumstances, the necessity for a vigorous house-to-house visitation became most apparent, and the military : and naval authorities, under Major-General Barker and Commodore Boyes, at the suggestion of the Goverment, rendered. every possible assistance in this direction. Naval and military doctors were furnished and at least 300 men from the Shropshire Regiment, and officers and men from the Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery were amongst others detailed for the duty of house-to-house visitation and for cleaning and disinfecting the houses in which plague had occurred.
Against these house-to-house visits, the Chinese rose up in arms and made bitter, though mostly false complaints to the authorities. Complaints were made that the privacy of women's apartments were being invaded and that women and children were being "frightened out of their wits" by the daily visits of the military and police. Then it began to be rumoured that the "foreigners" had siņister and unspeakable designs on the women and children.
An inquiry into these complaints was held, and it was found the they were without foundation. Chinese agitation continued, however, and eventually a large deputation waited on the Governor, Sir William Robinson (who had just returned from a holiday in Japan), requesting that the house-to-house visitations should cease and that the Chinese might take their sick away from the Hygeia in the harbour and from the Kennedy Tom Hospital.
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