July 1, 1901.J
per cent. of recoveries of cases with buboes and | 99.3 per cent of recoveries of cases without buboes.]
41
During the last 3 months-the epidemic sea son-in all 1414 patients were treated at the free Stations with Liq. Iodine Terchloride, out of whom 1,267 recovered and 117 died. True it is that in the great majority of these cases it is impossible to determine with precision the exact number of “genuine" plague cases. But it must at the same time be remembered that almost all the cases treated had come from localities where plague was most rife, or had been in contact with plague patients. This fact alone will force the public to the irresistible conclusion that the number of plague cases placed under the heading "with buboes," with a view to dissipale all doubts, fills very much short of the actual one. Be that as it may, there will be no denying the fact that the results, even as they are showɑ above, are eminently satisfactory. The germicide in question has now unquestionably established its value by giving a much reduced death rate in plague epidemics.
Another factor in connection with the above statement, which goes a great way to enhance the value of this germicide, is that almost all the patients that received the treatment were from among the low caste people, who are notorious for their susceptibility to plague and such kindred diseases on account of their scandalously filthy habits and living. The regalar administration of the medicine and proper nursing, moreover, could not be expected from these ignorant and illiterate persons. In spite of all these adverse circumstances. the action of the germicide in question was marked and quick in lowering the temperature and crippling the further development of the disease, and thus hastening the recovery of those who availed themselves of it in time. I would, on the strength of this successful trial, fairly extensive, commend this Iodine Terch- loride to the notice of those who are interested in the vexed problem of saving the unfortunate and helpless victims to this fell disease, and entreat them one and all to try this germicide in good earnest in all diseases of septic origin. There was, no doubt, the disposition to cry down this potent curative to the level of much advertised so called patent medicines; but now happily the sign of correct understanding is distinctly observable, and I have no doubt that, ere long, all doubts and scruples regarding its use would vanish. I have reasons to hope that medical men would not look upon this Iodine Terchloride-which is nothing but a well known and stable chemical compound-as in any way a strange drug of unknown and unreliable composition, but would hail it as the true non- poisonous germicide, of which they were in sore need; and, shaking of all their prejudices, would accept this germicide with a satisfying sense of relief, giving up the harmful use either of depressant, diaphoretic and antipyretic remedies, or stimulants such as strychnine, atropine, &0., in poisonous doses.
LA
Before bringing these few remarks to a close, I embrace this opportunity of publicly express- ing my gratitude to my lamented friend Dr. Bahadurji, whose encouragement at the inital stage of the trial was quite an incitement to me for further progress.
Another gentleman who must rightfully claim my gratitude and that of the public at large is that unostentations Shet Naranji Dwarkadas, whose keen sympathy for suffering humanity and enlightened interest in the solutions of the great scientific problems of the day led him to voluntarily place at my disposal sufficient funds to carry on my investi- gations in this direction and to give the benefit of the germicidal treatment to the poor. It will not be too much to say that the present accomplishment would, but for his help, have been almost an impossibility. Allow me therefore to publicly acknowledge with heartfelt gratitude, on behalf of myself and that of the public, the invaluable help rendered by him. I must also thank those medical men and others who kindly assisted me with more or less energy and interest in the trial.—Yours, &0.
“ J. K. GAJJAR."
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.
24th June. SIE, The Sanitary Board is often assailed by Chinese who have suffered inconvenience-
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
from what seems to them the erratic manner in which it carries out disinfecting operations ; however, I have always felt that we should defend the Board in its arduous task of fighting the plague. But on Saturday last the evidence of my senses turned this feeling into one of disgust and amazement. On the afternoon of that day, being at Yaumati, I saw a sight in the barbour there which impels me to write to you on a subject I would rather avoid.
A truly fearful smell directed my attention to a steam-launch maneuvering within a few yards of me, towing a “dugout" full of plague corpses! Being towed where?-to Hongkong for burial!! May I ask you, Sir, or your readers, if the Sanitary Board could invent a more effectual means of propagating bubonic | plague in this colony?
As this procedure is quite a puzzle to me, I hope someone will be able to explain it and so restore the confidence of a hitherto loyal sup- porter of our Sanitary Board. That these autho- rities who spare neither trouble nor expeuse (to Chinese families) in precautionary measures should bring cargoes of festering plague corpses from the mainland through our crowded har bour, to dump them on this overcrowded island, is a precautionary measure of a wonderful kind. Is there no authority to stop this? I suppose the only immediate appeal is to the Press.
In the New Territory can there not be found space for a cemetery large enough for its own requirements? The cemeteries of Hongkong ought to have been closed years ago-and unless the design is to make our beautiful island resemble a pesthouse or a charnelhouse, it is time some part of our extensive p:ssessions on the mainland should be set apart as a cemetery for Hongkong, instead of making Hougong- as at present a receptacle for plague corpses from the mainland.-Enclosing my card and thanking you to insert this letter in an early issue, I am for the present,
PUZZLED.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS.
26th June. treat to beg--to pray intending occupants not SIR-Will you permit me to earnestly en-
to resume residence in Beaconsfield Arcade for This entreaty on my part is but a public duty- a further period of at least three months.
Yours, etc.,
BUBO.
A DANGEROUS ROAD.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE
DAILY PRESS.
20th June.
17
SIB,-Will you be so good as to afford me space to warn pedestrians who frequent Bowen Road and more especially people who send their children there of a danger of which some may perhaps be unaware?
I and another were strolling along Bowen Road on the evening of the 19th inst. about 6 o'clock and just as we had turned the corner below the site of the now Military Hospital we heard rapid hoof-beats behind us. We had just timo to jump aside before a horseman passed us at a smart canter, as nearly as possible riding over a couple of dogs I had with me. The horseman did not pull up in the slightest degree on passing us. Had there been children or chairs, or in fact anything but a couple of fairly able-bodied men at the spot where we were, nothing but a miracle could have prevented a smash,
This is the first horseman I have seen on Bowen Road but I have since been informed that anyone has a right to ride there. If it is true, I am sure that most people will agree with me that it is disgraceful that the one footpath below the Peak which is suitable for European children to frequent should be so scandalously abused.
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I am not aware what the rights of way on Bowen Road are, but it seems to me that one of two things should be done: either horse-riding should be prohibited or pedestrians should be warned by a notice-board that they use it at their own risk. If the latter course were adoptod, I fancy there would be sufficient outery, even in this apathetic community, to cause an alteration in the bye-law.—Yours, etc.,
PATERFAMILIAS.
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,”
Bowen Road Filter Beds,
26th June.
SIR, My attention has just been called to letter under the above heading and signed "Paterfamilias," which appeared in your issue of the 22nd inst. As no doubt the writer is the person referred to, and the one and only inference is that I was riding furiously, I must ask your kind consideration to allow me to reply.
Firstly, I was not riding furiously. I think I am sufficiently well known in the colony and know the colony well enough_not_to_ride furiously along such a place as Bowen Road. Secondly, as I explained to “Paterfamilias" at the time, I was capable of stopping my horse in less then 10 paces even had I been riding furiously. Thirdly, Paterfamilias" invaded- my home and used heated and abusive language, which was certainly uncalled for..
With regard to his dogs: po haps he was looking for a “basket of whelps" left out to the tender mercies of the world on McDɔnnell Road and found in a starved condition by one of my coolies.
I have nothing to conceal in the matter and therefore use no nom de plume.~I am, Sir, Yours, etc.,
J. ROSS, Overseer, Water Works,
K
TO THE EDITJR OF THE DAILY PRESS.” 27th June. SIR,-I was very pleased to see your corres- pondent's (Mr. Ross's) highly humorous answer to my letter on the above subject, as I am sure its fervid periods are niuch more likely than my own laboured style to draw public attention to the misuse of Bowen Road which I was en- deavouring to bring into notice. I regret that Mr. Ross should have regarded my letter as a personal attack upon himself, and I can assure him that it was not intende l as such. I thought that I had sufficiently explained to Mr. Ross during the “invasion" he refers to that it was the authorities who allowed such things to be done, and not himself, that I considered blameworthy.
The information relative to the capture of a basket of whelps" by coolies on MacDonnell Road is interesting as soological news, though I do not quite understand its bearing on the point in question. However, I am happy to inform Mr. Ross that his suggestion that I was searching for such objects is incorrect. I was not aware at the time that the neighbour. hood of Bowen and MacDonnell Roads was a locality in which success in this pu sait could be expected.
To return to the point.-Will someone be good enough to inform me, where the regulations about trafo on Bowen Road, as recently revised, can be perused P-Yours, etc.,
PATERFAMILIAS.
14
when
E
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.” 28th June, SIB.-In view of the letter of Mr. Ross on the subject of Bowen Road appearing in your issue of 27th inst., will you kindly allow me to endorse the statements of "Paterfamilias”? I was in company with “Paterfamilias the horseman, presumably Mr. Ross, rode pastus / on Bowen Road and I can only say that it wass mere chance I was not knocked down, as I had to run over to the side of the road and crouch by the bank in order to keep clear of the horse. Whether this points to furious riding and whether there is any danger in the practice I leave the public to judgo.—Yours, etc.,
WITNESS.
FUMIGATION AND DISINFECTION."
TO THE EDITOR OF THE
1
"DAILY PRESS.
21st June.
SIR-I am sorry your journal is not an illustrated paper, as I would like to extend you the privilege of publishing some of the little life-sketches of June life in this Malta and Gibraltar of the East. I have been approached by an enterprising American paper for the copyright, but as money is no object, I lean rather to the advice of friends who think these would be a grace'ul offering to the Secretary for the Colonies, if nestly bound into an Album. Another lovie of our colony: and its faultions administration and
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