After the prolonged drought of last winter, diphtheria was very rife in Hang. chow; as many a8 five or six in a family being affected, and the rich being especially subject to it. In April measles and malign nant malarial fever appeared, and in May diphtheria came again. A disease similar to diphtheria was als" frequent, marked by a swelling of the submaxillary glands, the body being feverish and cold by tutus. As the glands became more swollen day by day, the patient would grow weaker and weaker. Chinese physicians, considering it an inflammation of the tonsils, would give the treatment for mumps. Foreign physicians, with a different diagnosis, treated internally with quinine and soda salicylate, and externally with carbolic poultice,—the treatment proving quite successful. For some time past malarial fever and cholera have been very prevalent. It is impossible compute the number of deaths. Many have died in the streets. Some think the infection was brought from Kiangsu to Chekiang, and indeed Kashing was first affected. "Others find the cause in. the digging out lac spring of one of the cana inthe city. This canal, a Blind one, and not furlong years a thoroughfare for boats, had not been cleaned out for several decades. Of course the accumulated filth of decades was poisonous in the extreme, and no one can_be surprised at the wide prevalence of disease. Local officials in China are not given to caring for the lives of the people, fo of course. this matter never 60 much as occurred to them. Beside this, filth-boats, to the number of over a hundred, tie up along the canal near the Myriad' Peace Bridge. Every summer, as the sun beats upon them, the breezes waft their infection far and wide in every direction. This is but 3 tle way from the Hangchow Hospit Could not the physicians in this hospital bring this matter to the notice of the officials and get an order prohibiting these boats from tying at these' places, but compelling them to be taken at once outside the city The Indemnity Again.
Every Chinese, from highest to lowest, is too well aware of the imposition of the "indemnity," and every Chinese groans under it. To refer to that which has come under my own notice; the amount. apportioned to the province of Chekiang for pay ment yearly is $1,400,000, or about $120,009 per month. Under cover of collection this amount, the officials have strain every nerve to collect all the additional taxes they can. in every direction. At first, when the amount of indemnity was fixed, there was a cry that the amount was too large; officials, merchants, scholars, and people, all doubted if it could be raised. Yet now, after a few months, here is a result anticipated by no one; that the whole province of Chekiang has incrossed its tax-receipts for the year by the sum' over four million dollars ($4,000,000)! I note the amounts below, all being actual increase above the usual amounts, and all being on account of the indemnity.
Increase in Salt Revenue 8 900,000 (This estimated increase for the year may not be realised, but will certainly reach $690,000) Tax on Wine (Shaohsing Prefecture alone; on the whole province, $600,000 can' be assured, but for one year only.).
300,000 Government Taxes, an_ increase of 30) cash to the Trel,...
600,000 Fee for recording of deeds increased from a nominal sum to $1.50 per deed ves oe 09,000 House Tax (In Hangchow city alone, for part of the year, $5,000) " "400,000 Miscellaneous Taxes (e.
on Pawa shops, agreed to by themselves is $50,000.) 800,000 Likin Taxes-increased to. (Note that this is the exact amount of the share due feom this province!). 1,400,000 Tax ea salaries (of officials secretaries, and underlings, etc.) 50,000 Theabove figures, while only approximate, show an excess over the amount needed to pay: the Chekiang share of the indemnity of more than $3,000,000! Thus do the officials borrow the title of the indemnity for the purpose of extorting the highest possible amount of extra funds from the people, without the odium accruing to themselves. Such is the loyalty and the love of country which characterises them! We need spend no time in guessing to what use they will put the surplus. Such action merely heaps up the hatred and discontent of merchants and people. till an explosion will result. Surely the Consuls of the various powers should take cognisance of this matter and take measures to lift some of this burden from the Chinese, and not allow the officials, under the excuse of a foreign indemnity, to collect such an enormous surplus for themselves. What measures should be taken? It suggested that there should be a careful investigation of the subject, and thnt the Viceroys and Governors be called upon to issue orders that a clear statement of amounts received toward the indemnity in each locality be posted up. in proclamations in public places, so that if any payments made are not - acknowledged, complaint can be entered. Thus every cash paid could be used for the purpose intended. This suggestion, or some better one, should be acted upon, otherwise while the extort
amount paid on the indemnity will be tions grow greater and more onerous, the small. The hatred of the people will grow more and more, and be directed more
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.