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which are sanitary, but in Hongkong the buildings are insanitary in structure and design, and also high. The proximity of the older houses to one another obstructs sunlight, and the internal structure of the houses, apart from cubicles, further darkens the rooms so that it is often not until one reaches the second or the top storey that there is a sufficiency of air and light to secure a healthy habita- tion. It is in these dark rooms and shops that rats and human beings have a com- mon habitation.
5. The endemicity of plague in Hongkong as distinguished from re-infection, is kept up mainly by infected rats in the godowns and stores and in these dark and insanitary places. The insanitary conditions of the older streets and buildings is a legacy of the past. They were referred to by Mr. CHADWICK in his report of 1882, in which he remarks that "both the design and construction of existing buildings is defective. The Building Ordinance requires complete revision. The amended laws must be enforced with more rigour and intelligence than at present, particularly as to alleys, lanes and open spaces." Mr. CHADWICK's report led to the Public Health Ordinance of 1887, which originally contained clauses intended for the improvement of buildings by providing open spaces at the rear, but which, unfortunately, were deleted in deference to the strong opposition that was raised by one of the Chinese members of the Sanitary Board and by others. It was represented that "landed property in the Colony to the extent of millions of dollars will be sacrificed, vested interests greatly interfered with, and public confidence shaken to the ground.”
Since this Ordinance the anxiety of the Government to improve the sanitation of the Colony is shown from the many enactments passed with that object in view. They are as follows:-
Ordinance 1 of 1890, An Ordinance to appoint an additional member
on the Sanitary Board.
4 of 1890,
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27
26 of 1890,
11 of 1891,
19
""
12 of 1891,
#1
5 of 1894,
19
Amendment of Public Health Ordinance.
Amendment of Public Health Ordinance. The Latrine Ordinance.
Amendment of Public Health Ordinance.
An Ordinance to remove doubts as to the validity of certain Bye-laws made by the Sanitary Board, and for other purposes.
15 of 1894, The closed houses and insanitary dwellings Or-
dinance.
Amendment of Public Health Ordinance.
57
4 of 1895,
19
9 of 1895,
Medical Officer of Health Ordinance.
""
11 of 1895,
17
A
F
8 of 1897,
16 of 1899,
The Sanitary Committees Ordinance. The Government Latrine Ordinance.
Amendment of Public Health Ordinance.
99
34 of 1899,
Insanitary Properties Ordinance.
"J
>"
6 of 1900, 13 of 1901,
3
Amendment of Public Health Ordinance.
. An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the laws relating to Public Health in the Colony of Hongkong.
6. It is apparent that there has been a steady endeavour, under considerable difficulties, to obtain powers to improve the ventilation of houses. Scarcely more than six years have elapsed since the appointment of a Medical Officer of Health, and during this period, especially since the passing of the Insanitary Properties Ordinance of 1899, much has been done to open up and endeavour to make habit- able a very large number of the worst houses. Dr. CLARK's work and that of the Sanitary Board in this respect are worthy of the highest commendation, and it is a matter of surprise to me, the large number of improvements that have been effected in so short a time. But notwithstanding the activity of the Medical Officer of
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