5th July, ALTHOUGH the plague has raged with t severity from time to time during recent years at Hongkong, at the Southern Coast ports, in Formosa, in Japan, and at Newchwang, Shanghai has been so far preserved from this terrible scourge, and there can be no question that this happy condition is largely dae to the unfailing vigilance exercised by Dr. Robert H. Cox at the Sanitary Station at Changpaosha, on the Yangtze, opposite the mouth of the Huangpu. His report on the working of Ins station during 1904, appended by Mr. Hobson to the latter's annual trade repers, 1s a most interesting document.
It appears that 442 steamers with crews numbering 37,422, and 6,566 foreign, and 12,710 native passengers, coming from infected ports, were inspected by the Port Health Officer during 1904. Of these vessels, 198 were from Hongkong, 82 from Swatow, 42 from Amoy, 39 from Manila, 37 from Newchwang, 29 from Foochow, 7 from Formosa, 6 from noninfected por's, one from Culeutta, and one from Hongay. "The six vessels from non-infected ports were presented. for inspection as having suspicious cases or deaths on board while in port or on the voyage." How little real interruption 1s caused to trade is shown by the fact that of these 442 vessels, only eight were placed in quarantine, the average detention being only twenty hours, One of these vessels had a case of plague on board; two had cases suspected of plague, four had had deaths suspected to be due to plague and one had a case suspected of cholera. The following details of one case show the vigilance with which the health of Shanghai is guarded:—"The S. S. Australien, which loti Kobe on the 4th of June and arrived here on the 7th. On the afternoon (5.30 pam.) of the day of her arrival this vessel hoisted the signal "dangerous sickness on bourd." I at once visited t'< vessel, and was shown by the ship's surgeon one of the French crew—ihe baggage-man—who presented signs suspicious of plague. As the patient was isolated, being the only person living in the baggage-room, I postponed his removal till the following morning, when he was removed to the station, and when I also inspected the crew and passengers, finding all others in good health. Specimens were obtained from the patient and forwarded to Dr. Stanley, who reported on the following day (9th) that the case was one of undoubled plague." The baggage-room occupied by the patient was thoroughly disinfected, after which three dead rats were found under the patient's berth. These were, unfortunately, destroyed before being examined. The vessel was placed in quarantine on the 9th, as soon as Dr. Stanley's report was received, but was permitted to take in cargo, and a sanitary constable was placed on board, with instructions to allow no one to leave the vessel, and 10 warn anyon~ coming on b aid that such could not again leave. Medical inspection again showed all on board to be in good health, and the 65 cargo coolies on bard and in the lighters alongside were marked for future identification. The vessel was given the option of vitiier (a) being subjected to thorough disinfect tion of ship and cargo, or (b) of leaving the port without such disinfection, and while in port to be kept in quarantine but permitted to take in cargo and passengers, and to hand "ver the 65 cargo coolies for inoculation with Haffkine's serum and isolation for a week at the sanitary station, 'I'he latter was chosen. The vessel was again inspected on the 10th of June, when all were again in good health. She left for Hongkong at 7.20 the same evening. Previous to her departare the captain was handed a certificate, stating the condition of the vessel and the measures that had been carried out here. Hongkong was also informed by wire. 'I'he 65 cargo coolies were inoculated and were isolated at the station for a week, They were then discharged in youd health."
Eight foreign and 143 native suspects were removed to the sanitary station during the year, and there were only three deaths, two natives from cholera, and one foreigner from typhoid fever. Of the eleven plague suspects and 101 contacts, all recovered. Dr, Cox adds: "The number of cases of plague in its chronic form was greatly in excess of former years, a result probably due to the relinquishing of inspection of outgoing steamers at infected! ports, Bacteriological confirmation of the diagnosis was not sought in: he majority of cases, owing to its difficulty from the presence of so many other micro-organisms in such—cases," Among Dr. Cox's duties are the destruction of fruit, vegetables, and plants brought from infected ports, and the disinfection of rags, personal effects, and coffins, and it is noted that the steam disinfector was made use of on 85 occasions. Twelve foreign linen-of-war, and eight trans. ports, ete, were also presented for inspection.
It is sometimes objected that it is absurd to give steamers all the annoyance and trouble of inspection when hundreds of junks come freely into the port. It will reassure these objectors to learn that "a continuous watch was kept at the Woosung
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.