PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :~~
C.O.885
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18 PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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Eastern Rhodesia. (2) That the endemic area in the Congo since Dutton and Todd's publication in 1905 had extended southwards on Lake Tanganyika as far as Vua, and southwards from Kabinda (see map) to Ankoro, Kiambi, and Lake Kasali, but that there was no direct communication between these areas and North-Eastern Rhodesia. (3) That outside the endemic area in the Congo Free State cases had occurred at Kasenga on the Luapula River, at Lukonsolwa, on Lake Mweru, and at Vua on Tanganyika. The case at Kasenga was there at the time of Dr. Noble's visit, but died shortly afterwards. The cases were all imported by the Belgian Authorities from endemic areas in the Congo, and there was no evidence to show that they had established endemic areas on our border. (4) That flies were plenti- fully distributed along the border, especially Glossina morsitans, the species palpalis being found only in small patches on the Luapula River and the lakes. Away from the immediate vicinity of large bodies of water "palpalis" did not exist, while Morsitans" was found in abundance, and more widely distributed in elevated country covered with bush, and remote from water.
From this report it was at once realised that immediate measures were necessary in order to prevent the infection from being conveyed across the Luapula into North-Eastern Rhodesia. It was decided, as large numbers of natives crossed into the Katanga country from North-Eastern Rhodesia to work on the mines, to establish a medical post at Madona, the principal crossing for natives passing between these parts, and Dr. Noble was deputed to proceed there to pursue and further his investigations, and to examine all natives returning from the Congo. The Belgian Authorities were asked to remove all cases found in un-infected districts into the endemic areas, and the co-operation of the medical officers of the Comite- Special du Katanga and the Tanganyika Concessions in this and other matters was assured.
The question of the movements of natives across the border was taken into careful consideration. There being no evidence of direct communication between natives of North-Eastern Rhodesia and the endemic areas in the Congo, it was not thought desirable at this stage to interfere with the natives crossing from North- Eastern Rhodesia into the Katanga country to work on the mines. It has been the custom for some years past for some numbers of natives to cross into the Congo on their own initiative, and a premature attempt to stop it would certainly lead to their surreptitious entry into the Congo by unfrequented routes, thus defeating, by the establishment of a position of false security on our part, the object which we had in view, viz., the medical inspection of all natives returning from Katanga. Moreover, the situation at this stage did not justify the expense of establishing patrols along the borders, a system which, on account of the extent of country involved, and the employment of natives in its execution, must necessarily break down at some point. Neither the Native Department nor the Medical Staff were adequate to maintain such a situation. It was, therefore, decided to close all the ferries across the Luapula with the exception of Madona, the principal crossing for natives passing between North-Eastern Rhodesia and Katanga, and Kapepwe's, an unimportant crossing further south for natives proceeding to North-Western Rhodesia. Dr. Massey, of the Tanganyika Concessions, then reported on an expe- dition made into the Baluba country on the tributaries of the Lualaba River to the north of the mining area, and found the country heavily infected with trypanosomi- asis, but pointed out that natives of North-Eastern Rhodesia did not go into this country, but were confined to the mining districts of Kambove and Ruwi, and every precaution would be taken to prevent them from going there the Baluba country being a district from which they recruited labourers to work on the mines. Before the receipt of this report Dr. Noble had been instructed to proceed to Katanga, and, in consultation with Dr. Massey, to ascertain the exact conditions under which the natives from North-Eastern Rhodesia were employed, and the risks incurred by allowing the labour to be employed there. As much depended on Dr. Noble's views on these matters (as to whether the labour should be allowed to continue or not) he was urged to proceed thither as soon as he arrived at Madona, and before establishing himself at his post, but unfortunately at this time his health gave way, which eventually led to his being invalided, and the journey to Katanga was never made. For three months Dr. Noble's health continued to be so unsatisfactory that little or no progress was made in the work it was intended he should carry out, and no reports were received from him Dr. Farndale was sent from Abercorn
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to relieve him, and shortly afterwards a report was received from Dr. Sheffield Neave in Katanga stating that 19 imported cases of trypanosomiasis had been found by him at Kambove, one of the cases being a native of North-Eastern Rhodesia. It at once became apparent that all communication between the natives of North- Eastern Rhodesia and the mining districts in Katanga must cease, and orders were issued by the Administrator to the Native Commissioners of the districts concerned, that no more labour would be permitted to go to Katanga, and that natives would not be allowed to cross the Luapula. All the ferries on the Luapula were to be closed except to natives returning from Katanga, who must pass the medical post at Madona. This is how things stand at present, and I do not think, after a thorough search has been made through the districts from which the labour for Katanga has been drawn, it will be found that we have suffered appreciably by the outbreak at Kambove. When it is remembered that many hundreds of natives must be employed in the busy mining district of Kambove, 19 cases is a very small proportion and 18 of these cases were imported from what are now known to be fresh infected (endemic) areas in the Congo. No large movements of the labouring and trading classes of natives (the most dangerous from the point of view of the spread of this disease) take place during the rains, and it is not until the month of April that natives seeking work begin to move. The date of the Administrator's order prohi- biting the labour from going to Katanga was April 11th, therefore I can hardly think that large numbers of our natives have been exposed to infection. The natives from North-Eastern Rhodesia have been mostly employed in transport work between Madona and Kambove or Ruwi, and in mining work at these latter places. There is no infection on this route, and none at Kambove or Ruwi, the cases reported from both these places being imported from endemic areas in the Congo. The native from North-Eastern Rhodesia found to be infected had been for a long time in the Baluba country, which is known to be infected. It will now be necessary to make a thorough search through the districts in North-Eastern Rhodesia from which the labour supply for the mines has been drawn, and until this is made it will be impossible to estimate the extent to which the country has suffered. It will also be necessary to establish another medical post, preferably on the northern shore of Lake Mweru, as a safeguard against the entry of suspected cases from the endemic areas in the Congo at Ankoro and Kiambi, which will in all probability extend along the Luapula (Ruvua) River to the Belgian station of Mpweto. There should be not less than two medical officers for this work, and if the districts are found to contain imported cases from Katanga three will be required. All communica- tion between the natives of North-Eastern Rhodesia and the Congo must be pre- vented by all possible means, and the natives must be made to understand the necessity of this, and induced to participate in the difficult scheme of carrying it into effect. The movements of all natives on or near the borders must be carefully watched, and patrols of police employed where necessary. Coercion should be used with competent discretion, and only when absolutely necessary. Another field for the employment of the labour of these districts might very profitably be found. It would induce content and lessen considerably the work of the district. All villages on the Luapula in contact with, or near patches of, fly should be moved at least a mile from the river, and the natives discouraged from going to the river either to draw water or to fish. These villages and all others near the Luapula should be kept cleared of surrounding bush and undergrowth for a space of 200 yards. The same precautions apply to Lake Mweru, but the danger there is not so great or so imminent. In the event of imported cases being found in the Luapula District it will be necessary to keep these at a station as remote as possible from all forms of blood-sucking flies under the direct supervision of a Native Commis- sioner, and suitable employment found for them. This can be anything that does not bring them into contact with biting flies. Their families could remain with them, and the community visited periodically by a medical officer, who would make a careful examination for cases of fresh infection among them. A certain amount of discontent is likely to occur, and as the responsibility of these measures must fall largely on the Native Department, it would be necessary to appoint two additional Native Commissioners to the Luapula and Mweru Districts (one for each), who would be freed from the routine work of the district in order to give their whole time to this work. They would take control of the movements of the natives near the borders, listen to any complaints and grievances that might arise on the part of
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