January 20, 1897.1
Way" in the China Mail of the 4th I thought it well to inform the Board the notion which has been taken, so far as vaccination is concerned, to check the recent outbreak of smallpox, and had the actual figures been given by the writer in the China Mail showing the results of the vacoination carried ont during the last fortnight, instead of satis- fying himself with the statement on good authority" the public would have been in a better position to have decided for themselves on the correct inference to be drawn from such results.
It is to be remembered that on such occasions as these, as a precautionary measure, a large number of persons are vaccinated who have been re-vaccinated more than once previously; such a result even as the writer of the note referred to admits, viz., “about two-thirds are effective," would be found on reference to re- liable statistics somewhat above the average generally obtained.-I have the honour to be, &o.,
J. M. ATKINSON.
Superintendent. The Secretary, Sanitary Board,
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC Works appended the following minute-It appears that an ample supply of fresh lymph has been and is obtainable from the Government Vaccine Institute on application at the Govern- ment Civil Hospital, as notified in the Govern- ment Gazette, and that the results obtained from the use of such lymph have been satis- factory. It is hoped in future that persons requiring lymph will in the public interest obtain it from the Vaccine Institute.
It was agreed to write to the Colonial Secretary, thanking him for the information forwarded to the Board.
{
SMALLPOX AT KOBE.
A return from the British Consul at Kobe showed that between December 15th and 21st inclusive, the number of new cases of smallpox st Kobe was 185 and the number of deaths 50. Between December 22nd and December 28th, inclusive, the number of new cases was 86 and the number of deaths 56. ▲ SMALLPOX FATIENT ALLOWED TO WALK
THE STREETS.
Jordan, Health Officer of the Port, re- ported a case of smallpox from the steamer Talang. The steamer arrived in Hongkong from Shanghai on the 1st January and pro. needed to Canton the next day. She returned at 1 s.m. on the 8th inst. The patient was seen on that day with a rash, which broke out the previous night. He previously had fever and pains in the body; no headache or vomiting. He is the second officer of the vessel and was well enough to walk to the hospital, whither he was sent in company with the third officer. The vessel was disinfected.
The Medical Officer of Health appended the following minuta-This man appears to have been allowed to walk through the streets of the city after it had been ascertained that he was suffering from smallpox.
The PRESIDENT-I beg to move that a letter be addressed to the Colonial Secretary requesting information as to who was responsible for this man being allowed to proceed through the streets in the way he did. It is highly detri- mental to the public health that a person suffer- ing from smallpox should be allowed to go through the streets without proper care being exercised.
The COLONIAL SURGEON seconded. Carried.
The SECRETARY mentioned that the Regis- trar-General had issued a notice informing people that it was necessary to acquaint the authorities of cases of smallpox as soon as the disease manifested itself. The notification also referred to public vaccination.
THE PLAGUE IN BOMBAY,
TRISE
- A return from Bombay showed that between the 0th and 23rd Dec. there were 788 new cases of plague and 523 deaths in that city,
ma
LEAVE OF ABSENCE. lication was made by Inspector Ger- absence and it was decided to to the Colonial ble recommendation. Superintendent of would not be
Pollce hoped
loatio
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
made to his department for an extra man for display of their the sanitary staff, because he could not grant it. bilities would give
A USEFUL MEASURE,
farther impetus. Unfortunately A letter was read from Mr. J. S. Van Buren, rington (Commandant) was unable to be pre agent for the P. M. and O. & O. 8. S. Com- on Saturday night, but there were many officers in panies, asking permission to erect a disinfecting the crowded room, amongst them being Captain apparatus. He pointed out that in 1896 Hon Chapman, Lieutenants Machell, Macdonald, and W. O. Smith, President, and Dr. Wood, Mem- Wylie, and a few naval officers. Mr. D. Gillies ber, of the Hawaiian Board of Health, visited who takes a warm interest in the Corps and does Hongkong for the purpose of investigating the all in his power to promote a healthy rivalry plague in connection with the emigration of amongst the men, presided and he made an e Chinese from Hongkong to Honolulu. As a cellent chairman. Amongst those who con result of their investigations they decided that tributed towards the evening's entertainment the baggage of all Chinese emigrants for were Messrs. Tyndall Lea, W. K. Wylie, J. Hawaii must be fumigated in Hongkong before Gilchrist, Robinson, C. MoD Smart, J embarkation and they authorized a wet sulphur Lowrie, and Appleby, all of whom gave the fumigation as a temporary measure pending greatest satisfaction and encores had to the purchase and erection of a hot air fumigat-given. During an interval an opportunity was ing plant. This plant had now arrived in taken to present Sergeant McPhail with the Wallace Cup, which was competed for by the Hongkong from San Francisco and it was desired to have it erected on shore in the Dock Detachment and which McPhail has won Company's godown on Marine Lot 111 at outright. Mr. D. Gillies, in making the pre- Wanchai and to use the lower part of the
sentation, said the cup was presented by the late Mr. Wallace, for whom everyone who knew godown for the purpose of fumigating the baggage of such Chinese passengers as might embark here for Honolulu. The baggage to be fumigated would not be infected baggage, but the ordinary clothing of Chinese passengers. As this clothing passed through the colon without any cleansing whatever there could be no ground to fear the spreading of disease by having the disinfecting plant erected on shore. The whole process would be supervised by Dr. Jordan, the medical officer appointed by the Hawaiian Government for that purpose.
In a minute Mr. Ede and the Colonial Surgeon approved of the erection of the plant.
It was resolved not to oppose the application on the understanding that the fumigating apparatus would not cause a nuisance and further that no clothes or other possessions that had been in actual contact with persons suffering from infectious or contagious disease would be infected on the premises.
MORTALITY STATISTICS.
83
For the week ended the 2nd inst, the rate of mortality was 15.8 per 1,000 per annum against 19.9 for the corresponding period of ast year. For the week ended the 9th inst. the ate was 20.9 as against 26.1 for the correspond. ing week of last year.
week.
ADJOURNMENT.
FIRE ON THE “FAUSANG."
him had the greatest esteem. They all valued
him
as a very worthy friend and he had taken the kindliest interest in the Volunteer Corps. The object of Mr. Wallace in present- ing the cup was to infuse a competitive spirit amongst the members of the Dock detach- ment and to improve their shooting, for he was himself a very enthusiastic volunteer and he wished his fellow men to share that enthusiasm.
The competition was for the best of twenty-four shooting matches and the members shot at the beginning of each month; thus the competition had extended over two: years. The cup, which was a very handsome one, had now been won outright by Sergeant - McPhail, who was to be congratulated upon the prowess he had shown with the carbine and upon the very excellent example he had It was just shown to all the other members. possible that another cup would shortly be presented for competition and he (the Chair- mam) hoped the whole of the Dock detach- ment would show as much good sport in shoot- ing for this cup as they had done in shooting for the one won by McPhail. (Applause.) It was to be hoped the Wallace cup would be prized as a heirloom by McPhail's children and his children's children. (Laughter.) Mr.
The Board adjourned until next Thursday Gillies then handed the cup to McPhail, who was loudly applauded. Prizes were also given to the following members who took part in a shooting competition on December 21st-last
Score. H'Cap Pts. Total,
88 6 94 89 Scratch 89 75 11 86 82 2 84 83 Scratch 83 73 8 81 75 $ 79
About 11 o'clock on Tuesday night (12th Jan.) a fire was discovered in the fore part of the Indo- China Company's steamer Fausang, while she was lying at her buoy. The discovery was made by the chief officer, who saw smoke issuing from one of the forward ventilators. He at once raised an alarm and signals for assistance were sent up. In a short time Hon. F. H. May, Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, and- several firemen reached the vessel, where they met the floating fire engine. The fire was seen to be confined to Nos. 1 and 2 holds, which con- tained a cargo. of cotton, sugar, and general merchandise, and the origin of the outbreak was doubtless due to spontaneous combustion. The ship's crew played on the fire with steam pipes and the firemen quickly got to work with their hose, but the fire contained to smoulder until a late hour on the 13th January. The damage is very considerable. The Fausang, was to have left for Kobe on the 18th Jan.
HONGKONG* VOLUNTEER CORPS.
DOCK DETACHMENT SMOKING CONCERT. On Saturday evening the Kowloon Dock Detachment of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps gave a smoking concert in the recreation room of the dooks. The concert was the first ever given at the docks in connection with the Volunteers, and its great success is the best recommendation for a series of con- corte during the season both at the head- quarters and at Kowloon; such gather- ings, we feel certain, would tend to foster a popular spirit not only amongst the members of the Corps themselves but amongst the general public. There is plenty of musical talent amongst our Volunteers, and an occasional
C
Gunner Harman Sergeant McPhail. Gunuer Sutton
**
ti
Gow Stewart.. Gilchrist Rutter
15
Lieut. Macdonald Sergeant Lowrie Gunner White
"
Dreas
Wilson
Corporal Ewing
Gunner Swanston..,.
Corporal Henderson... Gunner Sayers
1
78 Scratch 78. 77
70
"
#77 2
722
61 10 71
50 .18
68
53 10
63
44
18
$59 52
49 31
21
A handsome gold ring was presented to Mr. Kyles by the members of the Dook detachment for the valuable services he had rendered as register keeper.
The Newchwang correspondent of the N. C. Daily Net
Jews, writing on the 21st December, says -A much to be regretted accident occurre days ago. Mr. Happer, Commissioner toms, while tending one of his dogs rece bite on the left hand and the animal bad state of health the wounds and Mrs. Happer left yesterday for overland, whence they will pr Pasteur Institute at Saigon, and th have every reason to hope that no sequences are to be apprehended, agree that Mr. Happer is wise ing any precautionary measu has our sincere good wishes an affliction which the whole communi trust will have a fav
Fable
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