Report on the causes and continuance of plague in Hongkong and suggestions as to remedial measures / by W.J. Simpson, M.D., F.R.C.P.

  • Simpson, W. J. (William John), Sir, 1855-1931.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report on the causes and continuance of plague in Hongkong and suggestions as to remedial measures / by W.J. Simpson, M.D., F.R.C.P. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    which favour its spread and continuance there, and whether, as in Cape Colony, rat plague is intimately connected with, and precedes as a rule, human plague ; and thirdly, whether other animals besides rats are affected with plague, and if so the mode by which they become infected. On the answers to these questions necessarily depend, in a great measure, the remedies to be suggested, bearing always in mind the local conditions which almost invariably modify the extent to which, and the mode in which, general principles can be put into practice in different places. It was soon obvious that Southern China had not been for years free of plague, and in order to acquaint myself personally with the social life of the Chinese in the province nearest to Hongkong, viz., Kwantung, and the con- ditions under which plague spreads among them, I visited Macao in Portuguese territory. Canton, Swatow, Chaoyang, and a number of Chinese villages. A visit of this kind would have lost most of its value had it not been for the generous assistance rendered me by the local medical men, the officials of the Chinese Imperial Customs, and the different Consuls. Further, in order to gain more information regarding plague in China than a short visit to a few places could furnish, I addressed a circular letter asking certain questions on the subject to the medical men and medical missionaries in China, who, on account of their intimate connection with the Chinese, are in the best position to know what epidemics are prevailing in the districts over which they have charge. A considerable number favoured me with answers. It is with much appreciation of their services and the value of the informa- tion so willingly and freely given that I append their answers to this report. The second line of research involved a study of the cases of plague in Hongkong as they occurred, a careful inquiry into the circumstances connected with them, and the past history of the houses. In this I was fortunate in securing the cordial co-operation of Dr. Atkinson, the principal medical officer for the Colony, of Dr. Pearce, the assistant medical officer of health, and of Dr. Francis Clark, the able medical officer of health for the Colony, whose knowledge of the sanitary conditions of Hongkong is unrivalled, and whose untiring energy to improve the health of the City of Victoria under great difficulties is deserving of the highest commendation. The investigation into plague in animals was conducted by the institution of a series of experiments. I had the advantage here of having associated with me Dr. William Hunter, the recently appointed bacteriologist to the Colony, whose technical skill and careful work were extremely useful, also Mr. Gibson, the Colonial veterinary surgeon, and Dr. Matsuda, the chief of the eight Japanese medical men, whose services were requisitioned from Japan for medical work connected with plague. My thanks are due to these gentlemen, especially to Dr. Hunter, for the assistance I received from them. 8. The report now submitted is divided into four parts.