The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-11-15
HEALTH AT EVA MILL.
COMMITTEES REPORT TO THE
BOARD OF HEALTH.
sanitary Regulations Are Not of the
Best-Japanese Quarters In
bad Condition.

Two weeks ago committee consisting
of DIR. Emerson and Health Agent
Reynolds were appointed by the Board
of Health to investigate and report on
the cause of Malaria at Eva plantation.
The committee took the earliest oppor-
tunity to visit the plantation and. in
conjunction with DR.. Peterson, Govern
ment physician at that place, made
thorough examination into the matter,
A full report was made to the Board OF
Health Wednesday afternoon, the sub
stance of which was as follows:
HONOLULU, Nov. 18th, 1894.
Mr.. W. 0. Smith, President Board
of Health.
SIR: In accordance with the instruc-
lions of the Board, on Friday last.
November 9th, MIR. Reynolds and my
self visited Eva plantation for the pur-
pose of investigating the causes of
malaria fever in that district.
The first one seen was Dr. Peterson,
Government physician, who informed
us that the first cases of malarial fever
occurred after the blowing and planting
of new land, about twenty acres of low
land as | afterwards learned, situated
between the middle and lower camps.
The affected ones we've from those
who had worked in the field in question
and had therefore exposed themselves
to the emanations from the turned up
soil. There appeared to be one excep-
ton to this in the case of japanese
woman.
When ploughed the land is generally
in dry state. 1t is only after furrow-
ing and planting are completed that
water is applied, and that it seems to
be that the germs of disease are liber-
ated from the soil.
From the bookkeeper of the planta-
tiop learned that about 800 acres of
land had been broken up by the pillow
since last March. But it was only
about the first of October that cases of
maarial fever presented themselves.
There seemed to be no reason to
suspect the water supply as the cause OF
the outbreak. The water furnished fol
drinking is from artesian wells, either
; distributed in iron pipes or tanks of the
same material. The capacity of one OF
these tanks is about 400 gallons. They
are on wheels and are moved about
from place to place as needed.
DIR. Peterson informed us that the
fever generally assumed the form of t
, continuous fever with eXacerbation
every other day.
The Eva plantation it should be re
membered, is less than the distance o
two hours travel from the Queens hos
pital, and it has been found cheaper AM
more convenient to send most of tn
fever patients directly to this hospita
for treatment rather than to attemp
their cure at the plantation. This &C
counts for the number appearing at tn
hospital during the last few weeks
which when accompanied by the abov
explanation need not be a matter O
surprise to any one.
The number of people affected has,
believe, been twelve, or slightly owe
, 1 per cent. of the population of tn
plantation.
q No de ath has occurred, and other tina
e is reported by DR.. Peterson to be eN
i celent.
{ In company with the doctor we visi
d ed and inspected the upper camp
It where there must have been accomod;
lions for three or four hundred laborer
n We found an abundant supply of art
v sian water laid ON in iron pipes. I'll
e nature of the ground and the situatiO
n and structure of the houses was all tn;
3, could be desired. The condition of I'll
v grounds about the quarters, especial
2 of the japanese seems however to ca
If for remark as indicating utter disregal
of hygienic conditions. Foul smellir
1t pools of slops and fifty water, interim
l. ed with garbage, was a common sig
t. about the doors and yards.
h DIR. Peterson did everything in i
RS power to supply us with informatI'
and to further the object of our visit.
fl We were unfortunate in not meetil
st the manager Mr.. Lowrie until late
IS our visit, he having been engaged ell
re where. He assured us, however,
if his words and his manner of his des
lie to aid us in every way possible.
We are respectfully
I'd Yours,
al n. b. EMERSON, NJ. D.
Il PEyNnr nc