PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.885
18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—-NOT TO
172
New Colonial Company in Trinidad. From 10 per cent. to 30 per cent. of the labourers on the estate were affected with ground itch, an early stage of the disease. The number of cases always ingreased after rains. Coolies removed to the drier parts of the estates improved in health. The estate owners would welcome legis- lation making the provision of latrines compulsory. He was of opinion that the education of the coolies in sanitary measures would be productive of much good.
Sir P. Manson, in conclusion, suggested that statistics and information should be obtained with regard to the discase and the measures taken to cope with it in all Colonies.
November 1, 1907.
36730
SIR,
No. 129.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE. [Answered by No. 131.]
H. R. C.
Downing Street, November 7, 1907. I am directed by the Earl of Elgin to inform you that he has had under his consideration the question of the prevalence of ankylostomiasis in the West Indies.
Lord Elgin understands that measures have recently been taken for the cradication of this disease in Puerto Rico; and he will be much obliged if Sir E. Grey will take steps to obtain, for his information, as full a report as possible on these measures, and their result.
2.
36730
No. 130.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNORS OF THE WEST INDIAN
(British Guiana. No. 305.) (Frinidad. No. 354.)
(Jamaica. No. 410.)
(Windward Islands. No. 120.)
(Leeward Islands. No. 342.)
COLONIES.
(Barbados. No. 161.)
(British Honduras. No. 160.)
(Bahamas, No. 83.)
(Bermuda. No. 60.)
Downing Street, November 26, 1907.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to inform you that the question of the prevalence of anky- lostomiasis in the West Indian Colonies was recently brought to my notice by Pro- fessor J. S. Haldane, who has had much experience of this discase in the Cornish mines and elsewhere. The question was subsequently discussed at a meeting at this Office at which Sir Patrick Manson presided.
2. The nature and prevalence of this disease is, I think, fairly well understood in the West Indian Colonies, as it is in India, Ceylon, and the tropical Colonies generally. Several interesting papers dealing with it have appeared in the British Guiana Medical Annual, and an important paper by Dr. Galgey on the prevalence of ankylostomiasis in St. Lucia was published in the "British Medical Journal" of January, 1897. Lately valuable reports by Dr. Godfrey, of British Guiana, and Dr. Leonard, of Grenada, have been made widely known in the West Indies; [omit to Bahamas, British Honduras, and Bermuda, and a report of a lecture on the subject by Dr. Oliver was forwarded to you in my predecessor's despatch of the 11th August, 1905*] Measures for the eradication of the disease have been taken in British Guiana with a gratifying degree of success.
3. There is little doubt that the parasites concerned exist in a very large proportion of the labouring population of the West Indian Colonies. In the opinion of Sir P. Manson and Professor Haldane, however, the existence of minor degrees of
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this infection is not of much importance as regards the individual, provided that adequate measures/are taken for the prevention of his continual re-infection, but it is evident that even minor degrees of individual infection, in the absence of appro- priate sanitary conditions, are a standing danger to the community at large. The measures which have been carried out extensively in British Guiana are mainly directed, I understand, to the prevention of the contamination of the soil by the provision of proper latrine accommodation where labourers are gathered together, and y the destruction of fecal matter. Serious cases are, in addition, treated with one or other of the well known specifics. In the opinion of experts, while therapeutic measures should not be neglected, sanitary measures are most necessary. 4. You will appreciate the importance of dealing effectively with this disease, which undoubtedly in the aggregate has a most serious effect on the general health and the capacity for labour of the population of the West Indian Colonies. Anky- lostomiasis is, I am informed, a discase which readily yields to treatment; and the good effect of remedial measures is immediately apparent. I see no reason, there- fore, why this disease should not be effectively combated, and I propose to collect and distribute information with regard to its prevalence in the West Indies, and the measures taken for its eradication.
5. I shall be glad, therefore, if you will furnish me with as full statistics as are available of the prevalence of the disease in the Colony under your Government, and its distribution. You should report whether there is any marked increase in the severity of the discase in rainy seasons. You should also furnish me with particulars of:-
(a) The sanitary measures in force in the Colony for dealing with the disease. (b) The nature of the latrine accommodation provided, both on estates and in the centres of population, and the supervision which is exercised
over them.
(c) The methods of treatment usually employed in severe cases.
I shall be glad to know also whether you contemplate taking any further steps,
by legislation or otherwise, for preventing the spread of infection, and I would ask you to request experienced medical officers for suggestions as to what local measures might be taken:---
6.
1st. For the treatment of ankylostomiasis in plantations.
2nd. For the treatment of ankylostomiasis en masse.
3rd. General and special sanitary measures.
I shall also endeavour to obtain a report on the measures taken by the United States Government to stamp out the discase in Puerto Rico.
44693
No. 131.
I have, &c,
ELGIN.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received December 23, 1907.)
The Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments
to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, and, by direction of the Secretary
of State, transmits herewith copy of the under-mentioned paper.
Foreign Office,
December 23, 1907.
REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS LETTER. Colonial Office, November 7.*
• No. 129