268
HONGKONG BRANCH OF THE
SANITARY INSTITUTE.
In the City Hall on Tuesday night a large number of the members of the Sanitary Department, local architects, and persons interested in sanitary matters assembled, the occasion being the formation in Hongkong of a brauch of the Sanitary Institute. Amon.st those present were HE. Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G., Sir John Kane, H. H.E. Pollock, K., Hon. Gershom Stewart, Colonel Webb, R.A.M C., Drs. Drew, R.N.. Atkinson, Pearse, Barnett, Macfarlane, and Kayt; Messrs. Howett, Ough, A. G. Wood, and G. A. Woodcock.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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[October 10, 1903.
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those interested was held at the Sanitary Board office anl methods of keping the neces offices, and offers of support were received, not ||sary books, writing and spelling. The provi only from several of the local architects and sions of the Public Health Ordinance and the engineers, but also from some of the military bye-lawa made thereunder, a ku wledge of the officers. It was at that meeting decided to ||~ale of Food and Drugs Ordinances. Every establish a local branch in Hongkong, and a candidate who passes the examination will small committee was appointed to make the receive a certificate to that effect qualifying necessary arrangements for a course of lectares in the coming winter. We were for anate in The examinations
him for appointment as sanitary inspector. are intended to make obtaining the services of Dr. Burnett, one of inspectors of nuisances, or those desirous of the assistant Medical Officers of Health, as becoming such, or of obtaining the certificate secretary. The use of a suitable lecture-room of the Institution, to prove their competence has ben obtained at Queen's College, and by examination. May local boards and lectures are to be given twice a week ou corporations require candidates, when making Tuesday and Friday
evenings, at nine application for appointments, to producs o'clock." At the end of the session two a certificate of this kind, and I am exsminations will be hald, ore in practical that the possession of such a certificate H. E. the GOVERNOR, in his introductory sanitary science and the other for inspectors of would considerably influence the Sanitary remarks, said that every gentleman in the nuisances. The former is for persons who have Beard in its recommendation for the promo. room would understand how Important was the intention of booming sanitary offers,tion of inspectors from one class to another. series of lectures to be delivered, batween now but who desire to obtain a certificate from the I may mention that we have started the and the 16th February, to all those in Instituts indicating their knowledg) of sanitary nucleus of a library and a reading-room at the Hongkong who took no interest in the sanitary science. This, although not including many district offices in the Central District, 56, condition of this great city; but as he did not technical sabjects which an inspector is ra. Hollywool Road. We hope in time to wish to anticipate anything the lecturer might quired to know, goes beyond the scope of the have a good reference library there. The say he would ask Dr. Atkinson to deliver his inspectors' eximination, as far as relates to first lecture will be delivered by Mr. Browne lecture.
practical sanitation. The examination is arrang. on Friday evening next in No. XI room, The Hou. Dr. ATKINSON said-Your Excel-ed so as to bi suitable to foramen of works. Queen's College, to commence at 9 p.m., lency, and Gentlemen,-I am sure I am voicing | bailders, and those enraged in alliel trad s the subject being Mechanical Physios. the opinions of all present when I say how and others requiring a thorough knowledge of HIS EXCELLENCY, in inviting observations much we appreciate your kindness in coming to-
practical sanitary science. Every candidate is from those present, siid it was perfectly clear it night, Sir, to open this the first session of the required to furnish the Bɔrd of Examiners with would be hard to exaggerate the importauca Hongkong Branch of the Sanitary Institute. satisfactory testimonial; of recent date as to of the subject that had been brought before The Sanitary Institute of Great Britain has age and personal character. Applications for them. At the termination of the proceedings been establishe sings 1876. Its objects are examination must be made in a proper form it would be well if they looked at Bomy to promote the advancement of sanitary and must be sent to the off of the Institute of the conditions as seen in the models before science in all or any of its branches, and the fourteen days befor the date of the eximin- them; it would be found that they were very diffusion of knowledge relating thereto. Tue ation at which the candidate wishes to present pressing indeed and called for amelioration. council is composed not only of medical officers himself. The fee payable for the examination For instance, they could see a representation of health and physicians but also of eminent is $35, which must be paid to the secretary. of a part of Hongkong as it existed to-day, architects and engineers. The work of the The examination in practical sanitary science while on the other hand was a model of a most Institute began with the examination of sanitary occupies two days; on the first day it consists ingenious suggestion for its improvement. inspectors, but it is now something more than of written pipers only. There a e two papers. Then there was a model of a proposal placed that; there is a permanent museum, the Parkes two hours being allowed for each, and on the before him, in connection with the Public Museum in Margaret Street, London, which second day the examination is
viv voce. Health Bill, to the effect that lateral windows contains a great variety of appliances and ap A cortific.te will be granted to each successful could be secured by taking away every third paratus of the most approved form, relating to candidate. A certificate is not granted to any hoase, It seemed a beautiful idea on paper. health and domestic comfort: there is a large candidate under 21 years of age. The syllabus but when the matter was looked into they found library of sanitary literature, which contains, in for subjects includes:-Elementary physios and that every third house could not be removed; addition to standard works on sanitary science, chemistry in so far as they apply to sanitary why this would not bedone—he left it to the archi a collection of reports of medical officers of science. The principles of hydraulics and hydros-tects to say. A large number of men belonging health over the whole country and a reading tatics, pneumatics and heat andthe composition to the most important sanitary department wou'd room supplied with the principal sanitary and properties of air and water, etc, including be engaged in carrying out the instructions of periodicals both hom, and foreign; it holds the principles involved in the various methods the Sanitary Board and the ideas embodied in congresses and conferences by means of which of treating sawagə. Local Conditions:-Mete the far-reaching Public Health Bill. When many important practical coaclusions have riology-Soil and subsoil and its drainage, one looked at the heap of lootures to be been arrived at. This society, although founded Sanitary precautions as to healthiness of site, delivered anl saw the number of subjects it in London, is not only English, or British, but &c. Water :--Sources of supply -- Mains, pipes, was proposed to deal with he confessed he was claims to be imperial in the tra sensa of the fittings and storage. Sources of contamination sorry he would not be in a position to attend word. Branches hava already been formed in and protective precautions. Filtration.-Mate-many of them. He remarked the observation of Australia, South Africa, and Canada, and I rials and Constractions :-General description believe ona has been, or is shortly to be, of materials used in construction, viz, tim- established in India. I mention this to show bar, metals, concrete, stones, bricks, and tiles, that the ambition of the society was cament, mortars, materials for covering roofs. confined in its scope. Hygiene is of world- coverings for same, gutters, &c. Fire-proof wide importance, and situsted as We
constraction. Air,, lighting and warming:- on the borders of one of the most ancient Principles of ventilation. Air-spice and quantity civilisations of the world, how great are required. Overcrowding surface and in build- our opportunities and responsibilities in this ings. Size of windows. Ventilation of public respect. It is only within the life time of this buillings, hospitals, schools, dwelling and houses. Colony that Sanitary Science has made for Drainage, Swag and sanitary appliances: itself a name even in Englan l-amongst its The planning and construction of drains and pioneers I would mention Farr, Simon, Parks, SSWITS. Advantages and disadvantages of and the elder Chadwick. To the Chinese, various sa itary appliances. Drain-testing and sanitation is an unknown name, and who knows inspection of drainage-work. The various what a leaveaing influence this small soci ty methods of dealing with house-sewage and may ultimately effect on that Empire. This house-refuse. Disposal of sewage and refuse. local branch owes its inception to one of the A more detailed list will be found in the Senior Sanitary Inspectors who were obtainel priated syllabus. It is essential that candidates from England__in] 19)2. I refer to Mr. shoald possess a practical as well as a theoreti Carter, who is, I understand, the only morcil acquaintance with the subject. With regard of the Institute East of Suez, and Irgre to to the examination for sanitary inspectors say he is unable to be here to-night wing to the sime conditions are to be complied an attack of dengue. He it was who first sug-
with as in the former examination. The gested the idea of the establishment of a branch subjects for examination Bre: -Elementary of the Institute in Hongkong, and last winter physics, and chemistry in relation to lectures were delivered by Drs. Clark, Pearse water, soil, air and ventilation. Elementary and Hunter, and Mars Gibson and Browne statistical methods: -Hygieue, of Com in order to see whether there was any demand munities including prevention aid abite for such a course. The attendance at these ment of nuisances, sanitary defects in and about lectures was very eapon aging, and before Dr. buildings and their remedies. Water supplies Clark left for home on leave, he addre sed the Drainage. Refuse-removal and disposal, Home Institute in order to ascertain whether offensive trades, disinfection. Food-inspection they were willing to establish a branch here. the characters of good and bad food. The A favourable reply tras received, and then the regulations affecting persɔas suffering, or subject was broached by Dr. Pearse and my-recovering from infectious diseases and som self to the Sanitary Board. The members knowledge of such diseases. Principles of heartily approved of it, and with the consent ventilation, measurement of cubic spice, &c. of the Government, a semi-public meeting of ` A knowledge of the general duties of the
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Dr. Atkinson that to Chinese sanitation was an unknown name, and he wondered whether they had done much better in Hongkong than the natives had on the other side of the water. His own view was-he was speaking as a lay- man-that, in considering sanitation, they over-estimated to a certain extent the danger of bad smells. They concluded it was overdone, and in many cases it was only a blank cartridgə, They would remember that thy had a great drain on this side of the harbour, and it was a most singalar thing that in old Kowloon, about. which he need scarcely say anything, when they experienced most awful smells, it was quite free from plague. It was quite possible it would be found that drains had their dangers as well as their advantages. In Rio de Janeiro, after the drainage hal been established, typhoid increased and the city became very much worse. No doubt if they could get perfect drainage it would be a very good thing. All such matters would come before them, and he had no doubt that their discussions would be of great benefit, and the knowledge derived wou'd ba invaluable to the community of Hongkong. He concluded by wishing the Hongkong branch, of the Institute every success in the future.
His EXCELLENCY then asked a gentleman to volunteer to lecture on soils suitable for building purposes, on the 27th November.
Mr. B. BROTHerton Harker regretted he could not undertake the lecture, as he had one in course of preparation. But on it being pointed out that he had nearly seven weeks before him he said he would have much pleasure in undertaking the lecture.
Mr. E. A. HawETT said he had been asked by the President of the Sanitary Board to propose, a vote of thanks to His Excellency for kindly
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