368
9.
The
By June 25, 1894, the organisation tackling the bubonic plague in Hongkong was showing results. The Colony's medical staff had been greatly increased. Admiral Fremantle had sent two naval doctors from Japan, and two more doctors had arrived from Swatow and Ningpo.
Five hospitals were caring for the sick. They were the Hygeia, in the Harbour, capable of accommodating 40 patients; the Kennedy Town Hospital, 45 patients; Kennedy Convalescent Hospital, 25 patients; New Pig Depot Hospital, 140 patients; and New Glass Works Matshed, 50 patients.
The last mentioned hospital was placed under the control of Messrs. Burton and Bally of the Nethersole branch of the Alice Memorial Hospital.
Numerous theories were put forward regarding the origin of the plague. In a despatch to the Secretary of State for the Colonies (The Marquess of Ripon), His Excellency the Governor Sir William Robinson said: "In my despatch of May 17, I said 'Doubtless, it has been introduced from Canton.' That was the popular theory at the time, but further information leads me to the conclusion that it is impossible to speak definitely on this point, and hardly safe to hazard a guess. Since the outbreak here, it has been endemic in one or both places for the last seven years, and while it has been extremely severe in Canton, it has prevailed, according to the Governor of Indo-China, all over the South of China. Hongkong receives a regular and constant supply of pigs for the use of the Chinese from Pakhoi, and nearly all other articles of food are obtained from Canton, with which this colony is in hourly connection. The same may be said with regard to Macao; but it is a curious fact that, notwithstanding the frequent communication, and notwithstanding the immigration of thousands of persons from Hongkong to Macao during the last month, not a single case of plague occurred in that Colony.
"Hongkong has recently experienced the most severe drought in its history. With one exception, no rain fell from the middle of October, 1893, to May 16, 1894. It is, I think, very probable that the want of sufficient water has rendered Hongkong liable to the invasion and development of the germ of bubonic plague."
It is interesting to note that no mention of rats is made in Sir William Robinson's report.
Japanese experts arrived in the Colony in June to diagnose the disease. They claimed to have discovered the bacillus of the plague, and the local medical staff admitted their claim.
The effect of the plague was felt in every branch of local business, and the loss to the public revenue, to bankers, merchant shipping companies, the sugar refining industry, traders, shopkeepers, owners of property, and the labouring classes was never accurately determined.
On the whole, the shipping interests were the most affected.
368
9.
The
By June 25, 1894, the organisation tackling the bubonic plague in Hongkong was showing results. Colony's medical staff had been greatly increased. Admiral Fremantle had sent two naval doctors fron Japan, and two more doctors had arrived from Swatow and Ningpo.
the
Five hospitals were caring for the sick. They were the Hygeia, in the Harbour, capable of accommodating 40 patients, the Kennedy Town Hospital, 45 patients; Kennedy Convalescent Hospital, 25 patients; New Pig Depot Hospital, 140 patients; New Glass Works Matshed, 50 patients.
The last mentioned hospital was placed under the control of Messrs. Burton and Bally of the Nethersole branch of the Alice Memorial Hospital.
Numerous theories were put forward regarding the origin of the plague. In a despatch to the Secretary of State for the Colonies (The Marquess of Ripon), His Excellency the Governor Sir Willian Robinson said: "In my despatch of May 17, I said 'Doubtless, it has been introduced from Canton.1 That was the popular theory at the time, but further information leads me to the conclusion that it is impossible to speak definitely on this point, and hardly safe to hazard a guess. Since the outbreak here, it has been endemic in one or both places for the last seven years, and while it has been extremely severe in Canton, it has prevailed, according to the Governor of Indo-China, all over the South of China. Hongkong; receives a regular and constant supply of pigs for the use of the Chinese from Pakhoi, and nearly all other articles of food are obtained from Canton, with which this colony is in hourly connection. The same may be said with regard to Macao; but it is a curious fact that, notwithstanding the frequent communication, and notwithstanding the immigration of thousands of persons from Hongkong to Macao during the last month, not a single case of plague occurred in that Colony.
"Hongkong has recently experienced the most severe drought, in its history. With one exception, no rain fell from the middle of October, 1893, to May 16, 1894. It is, I think, very probable that the want of sufficient water has rendered Hongkong liable to the invasion and development of the gern of bubonic plague."
It is interesting to note that no mention of rate is made in Sir William Robinson's report.
Japanese experts arrived in the Colony in June to diagnose the disease. They claimed to have discovered the bacillus of the plague and the local medical staff admitted their clain.
The effect of the plague was felt in every branch of local business, and the loss to the public revenue, to bankers, merchant shipping companies, the sugar refining industry, traders, shopkeepers, owners of property and the labouring classes was never accurately determined.
On the whole, the shipping interests were the most affected.
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