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The Toilet as Business: A Fascinating Look at the Hygiene of the Chinese Community in Colonial Hong Kong

Frank Mitchell

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The toilet is a ubiquitous part of our lives, but it is often taken for granted. We use it every day, but we rarely think about its history or its significance. In the book The Toilet as Business, author Jessie Gregory explores the fascinating history of toilets in Hong Kong, from the early days of the colony to the present day.

Toilet as Business for the Hygiene of the Chinese Community in Colonial Hong Kong

by Mike Yeo

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11275 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	299 pages

Gregory's book is not simply a history of toilets. It is also a social history of the Chinese community in Hong Kong. The toilet, she argues, is a lens through which we can see the changing fortunes of the Chinese community over time.

In the early days of the colony, toilets were a luxury that only the wealthy could afford. The majority of the Chinese population lived in crowded tenements, where there were often no toilets at all. As a result, the streets of Hong Kong were often filled with human waste, which posed a serious health hazard.

In the late 19th century, the British authorities began to crack down on the problem of public sanitation. They built public toilets and required all new buildings to have toilets inside. This led to a gradual improvement in the hygiene of the Chinese community, but it also created a new business opportunity: the toilet as a source of income.

In the early 20th century, entrepreneurs began to build and operate public toilets in Hong Kong. These toilets were often located in busy areas, and they charged a small fee for use. The toilet business was a lucrative one, and it quickly became a major source of income for the Chinese community.

The toilet business continued to thrive in Hong Kong until the 1970s, when the government began to build and operate its own public toilets. This led to a decline in the number of private toilets, but the toilet business remains a significant part of the Hong Kong economy today.

Gregory's book is a fascinating and informative account of the history of toilets in Hong Kong. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Hong Kong or the history of sanitation.

Chapter 1: The Early History of Toilets in Hong Kong
Chapter 2: The Toilet as a Source of Income
Chapter 3: The Decline of the Private Toilet Business
Chapter 4: The Toilet in Modern Hong Kong

Chapter 1: The Early History of Toilets in Hong Kong

The first toilets in Hong Kong were built by the British in the early 19th century. These toilets were located in the European quarter of the city, and they were designed for the use of British officials and merchants. The Chinese population was not allowed to use these toilets.

As the Chinese population of Hong Kong grew, the need for public toilets became increasingly urgent. In the 1870s, the British authorities began to build public toilets in the Chinese quarter of the city. These toilets were simple and basic, but they were a vast improvement over the open sewers that had previously been used by the Chinese population.

The British authorities also required all new buildings to have toilets inside. This led to a gradual improvement in the hygiene of the Chinese community, but it also created a new problem: the disposal of human waste.

Chapter 2: The Toilet as a Source of Income

In the late 19th century, entrepreneurs began to build and operate public toilets in Hong Kong. These toilets were often located in busy areas, and they charged a small fee for use. The toilet business was a lucrative one, and it quickly became a major source of income for the Chinese community.

The toilet business was not without its challenges. The British authorities were often reluctant to grant licenses for public toilets, and they often closed down toilets that did not meet their standards. The toilet business was also subject to competition from the government, which began to build and operate its own public toilets in the early 20th century.

Despite these challenges, the toilet business continued to thrive in Hong Kong until the 1970s. The toilet business provided a much-needed service to the Chinese community, and it also generated significant income for the Chinese community.

Chapter 3: The Decline of the Private Toilet Business

In the 1970s, the government began to build and operate its own public toilets. This led to a decline in the number of private toilets, but the toilet business remains a significant part of the Hong Kong economy today.

There are a number of reasons for the decline of the private toilet business. First, the government's public toilets are more convenient and cleaner than private toilets. Second, the government's public toilets are free to use, while private toilets charge a fee. Third, the government's public toilets are located in all parts of the city, while private toilets are often located in busy areas.

Despite the decline of the private toilet business, the toilet remains a significant part of the Hong Kong economy. The toilet is a source of income for many people, and it is also a vital part of the city's infrastructure.

Chapter 4: The Toilet in Modern Hong Kong

The toilet has come a long way since the early days of the colony. Today, Hong Kong has some of the most modern and cleanest public toilets in the world. The government continues to invest in public toilets, and it is committed to providing a clean and safe environment for all of Hong Kong's residents.

The toilet is more than just a place to relieve oneself. It is also a place to socialize, to do business, and to learn about the history of Hong Kong. The toilet is a vital part of the Hong Kong community, and it is a testament to the city's resilience and progress.

Toilet as Business for the Hygiene of the Chinese Community in Colonial Hong Kong

by Mike Yeo

4.6 out of 5