Sessional_Paper_1906 — Page 215

129

2. AN OUTBREAK OF BERI-BERI IN

THE PO LEUNG KUK,

About the middle of the year 1901 a slight outbreak of Beri-beri occurred among the inmates of the Po Leung Kuk. This is an institution situated in the midst of the Chinese quarter of Victoria, Hongkong, and is intended for the re- ception of women and girls who are suspected to have been kidnapped or to have been brought into the Colony for immoral purposes, or who may for some other reason require protection. They are detained here until enquiries are completed regarding their case, and are then released. Owing sometimes to difficulty in these investigations it may happen that the detention of some of the inmates, and indeed it may be of most of them, is prolonged for months. Thus the number in residence may reach a high figure, on one or two occasions amounting to 92.

The Buildings.

The main building consists of a solidly built brick and stone building two stories high, opening on to a narrow courtyard about 10 feet wide, and guarded by a high wall. The upper two stories are used as dormitories, of which there are two on each floor; the ground floor is occupied by two rooms, one used as a dining-room, the other as a day-room, and a small kitchen and a lavatory. The dormitories are large, high rooms opening by doors on to a narrow verandah on the inner side over the courtyard, and on the outer side built solidly up to the roof. High up from the floor and beyond reach of the inmates, small windows are let in, well guarded. At right angles to this building and facing another street is an annexe containing two large dormitories, one above the other. Although these open on to the street they are dark and cheerless rooms.

WAT

During the months that this outbreak prevailed the population was dense. We find on examining the Register that the population varied during each month in the following manner :-

In January there were resident from......37-53

February,

March,

April,. May,. June,

.....

July,

August,

September,

October,

November,

December,

37-52

40-63

.46-59

43-74

10

47-65

..62–75

51-92

.37-61

49-64

51-65

.48-63

Measurement of Rooms.

The following measurements have been courteously supplied us by the Me- dical Officer of Health :-

Room I. Ground floor-

Floor area, 401 sq. ft.

Cubic contents, 5,654 cub, ft.

Window area (courtyard), 72 sq. ft. (street),

Do.

Room II. Ground Floor--

Floor area, 827 sq. ft.

285 sq. ft.

Cubic contents, 4,683 cub. ft.

Window area (courtyard), 48 sq. ft.

Do.

(street), 19 sq. ft.