Hong Kong : bubonic plague memorandum on the treatment of patients in their own homes and in local hospitals.

Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hong Kong : bubonic plague memorandum on the treatment of patients in their own homes and in local hospitals. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/48 (page 10)
    landlords were among the inhabitants of the district, and the letter, of which I attach a copy, shows the spirit in which they met the inquiry of Mr. Fung Wa Chiin for particulars of rent payable. The landlords of the six houses first taken for bath- houses on being asked by me what would be the rent for two months, answered, “for such a purpose, nothing.” » 12. The people were left freéto choose their own doctors, but were offered the services of either European or Chinese medical men, the services of the Tung Wa Hospital doctor being given gratuitously, while outside practitioners were engaged by the ‘people on the Chinese principle of “no cure, no fee,” the honorarium in case of recovery being about twenty-five dollars. I may add that Dr. Atkinson obtained the prescriptions of the Chinese practitioner who successfully treated one case, of which 01 examination he expressed approval. 13. My object was (1) to endeavour to secure the cleanliness of house and person—that must in any case be beneficial; (2 ta induce the people to undertake this work themselves; (3) to put a stop to the dumping of dead bodies, by removing the dread of disinfection by the coolies of the Sanitary Depart- ment; (4) to induce the people to give notice of sickness. Inspector Gidley’s report (Appendix A.) will show how far these efforts have been successful. It will be observed that in cases where death had occuired the people destroyed or dis- infected bed and clothing of deceased, cleaned the house, and remained. In cases of illness we at first removed the inmates, who in case of the death of the patient returned to the house as soon as it had been cleansed. In no case was there any plague developed among these “contacts” after the ordinary period of incubation ; for instance, in five cases occurring among the inmates of No. 4 Sheung Fung Lane they were.all developed within five days of the date of the first seizure reported. The return of cases attached to Inspector Gidley’s report shows that in 41 cases, apart from those reported dead, eight were reported at once, 9 after one day’s illness, 7 after two days, 1 after three days, 2 after five days, 3 after six days, 1 after seven days. Considering the reluctance of the Chinese to speak of illness, the return speaks well for the efficiency of supervision by the Kai-fong and the readiness of the people to co-operate with the efforts to assist them. 14. Having got the tanks in order the whole district was systematically taken house by house, the occupants bringing their bed boards and mats, their settles, and any furniture that could be immersed, to be dipped in the boiling water for a few minutes and thoroughly scrubbed. Clothing was either