Appendix C.
481
Report on House to House Search during epidemic of Plajue by Honourable F. H. May, C.M.G.
No. 75.
M
POLICE OFFICE, HONGKONG, 14th July, 1898.
SIR, I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Board, the following report on the work carried out during the recent epidemic of Plague in connection with the house to house search for plague patients.
The work, which began on the 19th April and ceased on the 11th June, was organised in the following manner :—
No. 2 Health District was divided into 2 sections and a search party consisting of 2 European Police Sergeants, 3 Soldiers and 3 Chinese Constables visited each section on alternate days.
No 4 Health District was divided into 3 sections and a search party consisting of 1 European Police Constable, 2 Soldiers and 3 Chinese Constables visited one section a day.
No. 5 Health District was divided into 4 sections and a search party consisting of 1 European Police Sergeant, 1 European Police Constable, 4 Soldiers and 3 Chinese Constables visited one and a half sections a day.
No. 6 Health District was divided into 3 sections and a search party consisting of 1 European Police Constable, 2 Soldiers and 3 Chinese Constables visited two sections a day.
Nos. 7 and 8 Health Districts were divided into 3 sections and a search party consisting of 1 European Police Constable, 2 Soldiers and 3 Chinese Constables visited two of the sections each on alternate days.
No. 9 Health District was divided into 3 sections and a search party consisting of 1 European Police Constable, 1 Soldier and 2 Chinese Constables visited two of the sections each on alternate days.
The remaining section in No. 8 Health District and the remaining section in No. 9 Health District were visited by a search party consisting of 1 European Police Constable, 2 Soldiers and 3 Chinese Constables each on alternate days.
The total number of searchers employed was 45.
There were 62 cases of plague discovered by the search parties; of these 52 were alive and 10 dead. There were also & cases of suspected plague removed to Hospital which were pronounced not to be plague. All cases of plagne or suspected plague, with the exception of those found in No. 9 Health District up to the 14th of May, were removed, in the first instance, to the Tung Wa Hospital where they were diagnosed by Dr. CHUNG and forwarded, if pronounced plague, to the Plague Hospital. After the 14th May the cases in No. 9 Health District were also forwarded, in the first instance, to the Tung Wa Hospital.
There was only one complaint made by the public against the Police engaged on house to house visitation. On investigation it was found to be without foundation. There were two complaints against the soldiers which were apparently well founded, and the men were removed from this duty, otherwise the soldiers did their work in a very orderly manner.
The search parties worked from 9 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 5 p.m. Each party was allowed half a day off duty once a week, and 24 hours' leave once a month.
The sections into which the Health Districts were divided, with a memo. of the number of houses in each, are filed at the Police Office for reference in the future if desired.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
F. H. MAY,
Captain Superintendent of Police.
The Acting Secretary
SANITARY BOARD.
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