in Shanghai have certainly something to congratulate themselves on, when comparing the sanitary condition of the Settlement with that of the towns of British Burma, In many respects, as we have shown, the central lised form of the goverment of the province has worked for good, but the same meed of praise cannot be extended to the sanitary regulation of the large towns. We might go further and, quoting the "Report on the Sanitary Administration," remark that here the government has egregiously failed, and that the state of affairs hinted at, rather than fully expressed, in the reports of the medical officers is simply a disgrace to any administration. More, that the warning given to the medical officers, that they are not to suggest improvements which they know the local governments have not at the moment the funds to carry out, is certainly unwise to say the least of it, and marks rather a desire to burke investigation, than a wish to amend. Foremost of the reports is a gossipy production from the medical officer at Akyab. The officer Inments the good old times when the Commissioner, Sir Archibald Bogle, "reigned supreme in Arakan, when all the convicts who were then lodged in this jail obeyed the Commissioner, and did such public works as Sir Archibald thought would benefit tive station." "In those days of energy," adds our gossip, "there was but litre wuting, but there was much real work." Atalleventsdrains were made and some pretence at sanitary regulations attempted, which in these degenerate days we are given to understand have all been given up. No wonder therefore that fever jy rampant at Akyab, and that nearly nine out of every thousand of the population died of cholera during the year. The medical officer does not believe in mal-° aria or in fever germs, never having seen either, but if there be such a thing he holds that cholera is decidedly a malarious disease, and to be treated in avery similar manner, The shade of demarkation between these diseases have not hitherto met with the scientific treatment' to which they are eutitied. " But," adds the officer, "so long as a religious public expects young clergymen to make themselves amiable at tea meetings and croquet, or the clients, not the true patients of a phy-simian, expect him to waste his time in making polite calls, which by reason of demoralizing uselessness verge on Sycophancy, so long will the thinking part of mankind fail to give the ministers of religion and of medicine the deep respect which is accorded to successful soldiers, merchants, Jawyers, engineers, and the high and in depended lights of an established church." The doctor has his own treatment for cholera, which may be explained in a few words, In the first stage the patient, though cold without, is burning within, and is afflicted with thirst, and cannot) bear covering, Don't try to stop the disease, but help it on by letting him drink cold water, soda water sherbet, or any other mild liquid at hand; give him occasional does of quinine, and if convenient take him out of the house into the open air, say under a tree, and inflict him with no more clothing than he feels disposed for. This treatment he promises will shortly restore cirenlation and perspirations. The sanitary condition of Akyab is of the worst. Situated in an island at the confluence of two rivers flowing into the Bay of Bengal, and being in great measure alluvial in its forma tion, it is such a place-as without precautions becomes subject to malarious fevers. The inhabitants for the most part live in bamboo sheds placed about three or four feet apart. There are no drains or latrines, public or private. Except a few of the best streets, the other means of communication are im. passible, so that carts cannot enter to remove night-soil or other impurities, Add to this, the inhabitants depend for water on wells or tanks surrounded by accumulations of filth of every description; that Jabour is dear, and. that the population is invaded every year by crowds of labourers from Chittagong, towards whose lodging no arrange-menes, sanitary or otherwise, seem to be thought of; and we gob an idea of the causes which have made Akyab notorious for its unhealthiness. Yet for suggesting improvements the medical officer is blamed, because he did
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.