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The Colonial Surgeon.
Q. Do you think it is necessary to have a hulk for suspected cases as well as for those suffering from cholera?
A. Yes, to please people such might be expedient but in my opinion it is not essential.
Q. What about the crew?
The Chairman.
A.—I would send to Hospital those members of the crew who are suffering from symptoms of disease. It seems to me that it is very unfair that foreign vessels should be put into quarantine and native vessels not. We have cholera sometimes and we have a number of native craft, junks, etc., which are not subjected to qua- rantine, and I think there is much more danger from them than froin foreign vessels. I think there is very small possibility of infection and any very rigid precautions are unnecessary and unfair.
The Colonial Surgeon.
Q.-In your experience here and from your general knowledge of cases have you ever found any one case to be traced and attributed to contagion or infection.
A.--No, I have not. I was a member of the Egyptian Cholera Medical Com- mission in 1883 and from personal observation there I can testify to the futility of cordons on shore and quarantine at sea.
NOTE BY DR. CANTLIE.—When cholera prevails on board a ship arriving in the harbour I recommend that the following steps should be taken :-
(1.) When a Surgeon is on board; for 24 hours before arrival in port the Surgeon should ·
cause a strict watch to be kept on all closets and latrines and every person observed
to use them oftener than three times in twenty-four hours should be considered as а "choleraic suspect."
(2.) When there is no Surgeon ou board: then the same observation should be made after
the ship's arrival in harbour.
The Commission then adjourned.
Fifth Meeting; 8th February, 1892.
Present:-All Members.
The Chairman submitted a draft report which was read clause by clause and discussed when some amendments were made.
It was agreed-
1. That a fair copy of the report as altered be sent to each Member.
2. That each gentleman who gave evidence before the Commission be sent a copy of his evidence, as recorded by the shorthand writer, with a request that he will be good enough to correct the proofs,
3. That a fair copy of the evidence given before the Commission be sent to each Member.
The Commission then adjourned.
The Report having been finally settled and signed on the 20th February, 1892, the Commission ended its labours.
HUGH MCCALLUM,
20th February, 1892.
Secretary.
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