Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 474

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Enclosure VII.

Appendix A.

REPORT ON THE PREVALENCE OF PLAGUE IN THE COLONY OF HONGKONG

DURING THE YEARS 1897 AND 1898.

INTRODUCTORY.

This is a continuation of my report of the history of this disease in Hongkong in 1895 and 1896 and is a brief record of the subsequent progress of the disease.

PREVALENCE OF PLAGUE IN HONGKONG, 1897.

The first three cases were reported on the 21st, 23rd, and 25th May from Heung Lane, no cases having been reported since the previous November,

This is one of the ill-ventilated narrow lanes off Queen's Road West; it was declared an infected area on May 26th and promptly dealt with. From this very lane eight cases were taken in June, 1895. The recrudescence of the disease in houses previously infected shows how tenaciously the bacillus clings to dwellings; it may be that the process of disinfection used, viz., fumigation with Sulphurous Acid Gas, the washing of the floors, woodwork, &c., with Jeyes' Fluid and the lime-washing of the ceilings and walls, is partly accountable for this.

A similar coincidence, viz., the recurrence of plague in houses previously infected has occurred in 1898.

At the instigation of the Medical Officer of Health a new system of disinfection has been estab- lished, viz., spraying the walls, floors, &c., with a solution of Perchloride of Mercury of the strength 1 in 1,000.

On the 5th of June one case occurred.

In the month of July there were eleven cases and during the remainder of the cases occurred, the streets, &c., where they came from being given in Appendix A. out of the 21 cases occurred in lanes and houses in which cases had occurred in 1896.

From this it will be seen that :-

(1.) The total number of cases reported was 21, all being Chinese.

year six more No less than 8

(2.) The disease commenced at the end of May and cases occurred in each remaining month

of the year excepting October.

(3.) In no month did it assume the proportion of an epidemic.

(4.) During the month of July the greatest number of cases occurred.

METEOROLOGICAL Data.

On reference to Appendix B, it will be seen that the rainfall in 1897 was much greater than in

1896 or 1898.

PROCEEDINGS ADOPTED WITH A VIEW to PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE IN 1897.

The proceedings adopted were similar to those in 1896, viz.:--

(a.) Removal of sick persons.—The patients after having been declared to be suffering from

plague were removed to Kennedy Town Hospital in ambulances which are kept for that purpose at the different hospitals and police stations.

(b.) Infected premises.-Steps were taken to thoroughly disinfect the premises in which cases were found and to cleanse and remove as far as possible all obstructions to light and air existing in these districts.

Heung Lane was declared infected on May 26th.

With regard to sanitary legislation the following regulations came into force :-

(1.) Regulations in accordance with section 58 of Ordinance 15 of 1889 providing for the preparation of sites and the maintenance in a sanitary condition of matsheds used by contractors for housing coolies employed in building.