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PUBLIC RECORD UPPI Refereike.—
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C.O.885
Research Fund Committee as to the methods to be adopted by the Directors of Colonial Government laboratories in connection with their work in order to secure uniformity of action for the benefit of the common stock of scientific knowledge which the Committee is charged to gather.
2 It is made clear, from the way in which the proposals are put forward, that it is pre-supposed by the Committee that there will be no objection to the Director of a Colonial Government laboratory working more or less under the direc- tion or supervision (the term in this instance seems synonymous) of a central authority, namely, the Tropical Diseases Research Fund Committee. But I must say at once that, so far as the British Guiana Laboratory is concerned, such an arrangement would not be possible. This is my own view, and it is that held also by the Surgeon-General. I consider, and the Surgeon-General agrees with me, that, as matters stand at present, the energies of the Government Bacteriologist must be concentrated on work which is for the benefit of the Colony without regard to outside requirements. On the other hand, where it is clear that his work leads him into investigations the results of which add to the common stock of scientific knowledge, then that those results should be communicated to the Tropical Diseases Research Fund Committee or, if needs be, to any other body similarly interested.
3. The Bacteriologist has only one assistant, and in addition to his laboratory work he is-
(a) Pathologist to the Public Hospital, Georgetown, and as such performs
all post-mortems at that institution;
(b) In charge of the "X" rays apparatus, and does all the work in connection
therewith;
(c) Librarian to the Medical Library;
(d) In charge of the Pathological Museum, the preparation and mounting
of specimens for which takes up a considerable amount of his time; (e) Adviser to the police in intricate medico-legal cases.
It is clear, therefore, that, apart altogether from the question as to the advisa- bility of subordinating the work of Colonial Government laboratories to the require- ments of tropical research, which 1 do not propose to touch on, the Government Bacteriologist would be unable to concentrate his energies for the time being upon any particular matter in which the Committee may happen to be for the moment interested or be expected to specially investigate, in behalf of the Committee, any of the main features of local pathology, or in fact to subordinate local to general requirements.
4. I transmit a copy of a minute from the Government Bacteriologist on the subject, and I beg to say that so far as it lies within the power of this Government to assist the Tropical Diseases Research Fund Committee in its very important work such assistance will be given.
Enclosure in No. 12.
I have, &c.,
F. M. HODGSON.
7
to apply) though of immense eventual value is not a pressing necessity and is, there- fore, only executed at intervals when the work stated in paragraphs 2 and 3 is completely disposed of. Practically the research work here is done at the instiga- tion of personal interest and energy at times outside the customary day's work of this country.
5. Further, the personnel of the laboratory is limited to myself and a labora- tory assistant, who requires constant supervision.
6. In view of the above facts 'I certainly do not think that this organisation scheme could be applied to this Bacteriological Laboratory unless it was greatly enlarged and acquired the attendance of skilled assistants.
7. While I shall consider it a duty and a pleasure to assist the Committee of the Tropical Diseases Research Fund as far as the resources of this laboratory and my ability allow, yet I feel that the application of Sections I.-VI. of paragraph of the circular letter would no doubt increase the regularity of research work, but would no less certainly destroy its originality. Research work is not really a science but an art of most delicate nature and retains to the full all the irregularities of its sister muses.
K. S. WISE.
6 February, 1908.
9839
SIR,
No. 13.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE LIVERPOOL AND LONDON SCHOOLS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE.
Downing Street, 31 March, 1908.
I AM directed by the Earl of Elgin to transmit to you, for the information of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, six copies of the report* of the
London
Advisory Committee for the Tropical Diseases Research Fund for 1907, which has been presented to Parliament.
2. Lord Elgin will be glad if copies of the Blue Book can be presented to the writers of the reports included in it.
9839
No. 14.
I am,
&c.,
H. BERTRAM COX.
COLONIAL OFFICE to INDIA OFFICE, TREASURY, AND FOREIGN OFFICE.
Downing Street, 31 March, 1908. SIR,
I AM directed by the Earl of Elgin to transmit to you, for the information of [Mr. Secretary Morley] [the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury] [Secretary Sir E. Grey] two copies of the Report* of the Advisory Committee for the Tropical Diseases Research Fund for 1907, which has been presented to Parliament.
2. [To Foreign Office only.] I am to suggest that a copy of the Report might be communicated to the Government of Egypt.
I am, &c.,
H. BERTRAM COX.
I BE REPRODUCED THIN
19 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE
MINUTE by the GOVERNMENT BACTERIOLOGIST.
HON. SURGEON-GENERAL,
Public Hospital, Georgetown, 6 February, 1908. I HAVE Considered the enclosed papers with great care and it appears that the Tropical Diseases Research Fund greatly misapprehends the objects and con- stitution of the Bacteriological Laboratory in this Colony.
2. It is difficult to define the objects of a bacteriological laboratory in any but a general way, and the work done depends largely on the individual Director. I have always considered that the most important object is to assist medical men, veterinary surgeons, and others to a complete diagnosis and a sound treatment. This entails an extensive volume of work (1,258 specimens last year) which threatens to increase.
3. A second duty which I regard as a very important function of the Bacterio logical Laboratory is to aid the Public Health Department and by a series of regular and repeated examination to control the quality of food, water, sewage, &c. This also entails great expenditure of time.
4. Research work (to which these suggestions as to organisation seem wholly
9839
GENTLEMEN,
No. 15.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
Downing Street, 31 March, 1908.
I AM directed by the Earl of Elgin to transmit to you, for the information of the Royal Society, six copies of the Report* of the Advisory Committee for the Tropical Diseases Research Fund for 1907, which has been presented to Parliament.
I am, &c.,
H. BERTRAM COX.
• [Cd. 3992.]