(viii)
2nd.-Earth Cuttings.-According to W. C. MACLEAN, C.B., M.D., Professor of military medicine, in the Army Medical School, Netley, who was encamped on Hongkong before it was ceded to the British Government, the soil was but little dis- turbed and the troops did not suffer; but, when excavations were made at a subsequent time, for the construction of the City of Victoria, a fatal form of remittent fever appeared, which caused great mortality. From this and many subsequent experiences, earth- cuttings, both in Hongkong and other countries have been considered as an important factor in the production of conditions tending to the outbreak of fever. At the same time it is observed in some districts of Hongkong and more especially, at the present excavations going on at Kowloon, an immunity from fever seems to exist in some places. In the Western District, however, earth cuttings of a recent date and of an extensive character have been in progress for some time, and the Commissioners cannot neglect the fact in the face of previous experience.
3rd.--Absence of Cultivation.The cultivation of plants, herbs and trees is a thing of recent date in Hongkong, and it is possible that the afforestation has not even, where best developed, advanced sufficiently to produce the maximum of good. In the Western District moreover the afforestation is developed to but small extent, to so small an extent in fact that the benefits accruing therefrom are as yet practically nil.
Evidence as to the existence of good bestowed upon malarial districts by plants i obtained in a negative way thus:-It is well known that, in many districts with plentifu vegetation, when large clearances have been made, malarial fever previously in abeyance has broken out subsequent to such clearance, and in such a manner that they are looked upon as cause and effect.
4th. The situation of the houses.-The situation of the houses in the Western District is such that malarial fever might be expected to develope around them. The houses stand at the base of a high hill receiving a tropical rain-fall. Around the houses numerous springs exist, and at no great distance from the surface, sub-soil water is found standing; in addition, in many places the water finds its way to the surface causing pools in some instances and in others a damp soil.
Whilst drawing attention to these conditions in the Western District, the Commis- sioners are aware that in the other districts of Hongkong the houses, in fact the town, stand on ground of almost similar nature; but the other parts of the town are closely packed with houses, the roads are older and, in many instances, better paved. In the Western District the houses are more sparse, and the roads and cuttings much newer and indifferently paved or macadamized.
The Commissioners have come to the conclusion therefore, that all the elements necessary to produce malarial infection are present in the Western District.
5th.--General non-hygienic conditions met with in the District. The Commissioners wish it distinctly to be understood that the causes detailed under this heading cannot have any specific effect in bringing about malarial fever, but they are of opinion that any insanitary condition may increase the severity of the attacks of such fever and by affecting the general health of the community increase the probability of its develop-
ment.
The complaints made in the petition under the separate headings A, B, C, D, and E are conditions which, individually and collectively, no doubt produce in some cases a local and in others a more general disturbance of healthy conditions. The Commissioners find that the chief cause of the petition being sent in is however the smells experienced in the Western District. Not only in the petition, but in the cross- examination of witnesses and in the house to house visits, the essence of the complaint is smells, caused by exhalations, in one instance, (heading A of petition) from a squatters village, Inland Lot No. 795, and noxious trades; in a second (heading B of petition) from the drying of sugar bags on the hill sides; in a third (heading C of petition) from the manuring flower gardens with offensive liquid manure; in a fourth
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