PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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TILLTC.O.885
19 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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I grant that it is very difficult to make coolies use any latrine or closet that is prepared for their use and convenience, and I think that this is everyone's experience with coolics. Take, for instance, the case of Port Antonio Hospital; although the new coolie wards actually have a water-closet built on to the ward, many of them prefer to come outside when nobody is watching and mess the under- building. This everybody knows. I have seen it myself, and it must result in the wards being locked tight at night.
The same occurs at every large coolic hospital.
Rainy seasons.
The majority of those District Medical Officers who have answered this ques- tion do not seem to have noticed any difference in-relative frequency of the discase in wet and dry seasons.
(a) Sanitary measures in force.—
The correspondence, especially the Acting Protector of Immigrant's ,letter, shows that there are no sanitary measures employed on the estates at
present.
The circular issued shortly after I came here, although accepted at the time, does not seem to have been-
(a) either followed up;
(b) or properly put into force.
(b) The latrine accommodation provided—
(a) On the estates is nil.
(b) Midden pits and the bucket and earth or the bucket system alone is the custom in most villages.
(c) In Kingston, sewerage is partly installed.
(c) Each District Medical Officer describes his own treatment.
}
To sum up the recommendations of the various medical men, the following seem reasonable and feasible:-
1. Notification should be enforced.
2. All cases of anæmia or debility should be reported by estate overseers
at once (under pain of a fine).
3. Every case of ankylostomiasis should be treated in hospital, not outside.
4. Proper latrine accommodation should be provided on estates, and coolies
should be compelled to use it, but herein lies the difficulty.
Other suggestions are made by various District Medical Officers, but the chief question that arises is-"How are they to be enforced?"
I may say that I personally have no locus standi on the estates and by law am of no importance.
I think were I given a free hand to go round the estates (with or without the Protector of Immigrants), and were given the power to enforce sanitary suggestions, something might be gained.
I think that were I given a say in the matter of estate sanitation, I might do some good.
I have, &c.,
DEAR SIR,
A.
J. ERRINGTON KER,
Superintending Medical Officer.
Llanrumny, Port Maria, 14 March, 1905.
YOUR circular. I think the idea of training coolics to use latrines on estates is a splendid one, and I would be delighted to see it in operation. Kindly let me know if you hear of its successful achievement on any of the properties with which you have to deal. I shall make it my business to pay my respects to the Manager if he will do me the honour of receiving me. Does your Department propose to contribute towards the expense of police work? Perhaps we might do something
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in the way of disinfecting the immigrants' hands before meals, or provide them with medicated paper, or a bottle of strong antiseptic solution to take about with them. I shall be only too pleased to join you in your endeavour to exterminate the pest we have imported, with your kind aid, as I am in imminent danger of being infected momently. What will we do with the place where the "Rhine" coolies have been quartered? Disinfect, or order their destruction, or both, and compromise by buying cheap and making our fortunes?
C. W. Doorly, Esq.
Acting Protector of Immigrants,
Kingston.
(No. 648/589.)
SUPERINTENDING MEDICAL OFFICER,
B.
Yours, &c.,
LEWIS B. MELVILLE.
Immigration Office, Jamaica,
4 May, 1908.
In reply to your minute, No. 561/605, dated the 22nd ultimo, I have to inform you that on the 27th February, 1905, whilst I was acting as Protector of Immigrants, I issued a circular, copy of which is attached, to all employers of indentured immigrants, pointing out the danger of ankylostomiasis and recom- mending certain remedial measures.
2. On several estates trenches were dug to serve the purpose of latrines, but the coolies could not be induced to use them, and there was no means of compelling them to do so.
3. I enclose copy of a somewhat facetious letter received from one employer as showing pretty well the spirit in which my suggestions were received by many employers.
SIR,
(No. 279/120.)
CHAS. W. Doorly,
Acting Protector of Immigrants.
Immigration Office, Jamaica, 27 February, 1905.
I AM directed by His Excellency the Governor to call your attention to the existence among East Indian immigrants in the colony of the disease known as ankylostomiasis, which is reported by District Medical Officers to be spreading considerably.
2.
This disease is frequently brought by immigrants arriving from India. It is caused by a small worm which develops in the intestines of the person afflicted.
and is indicated by the patient suffering from anemia or bloodlessness.
3. There is no doubt that the disease exercises a most injurious effect on the health of the coolies, and, as a consequence, the employer loses a considerable amount of labour. It is therefore important in the interests of both parties that prompt and effective steps should be taken to eradicate the disease, if possible.
1.
The parasite is spread by means of the ova in the fæces of the person infected, and the habit which exists among coolies of obeying the calls of nature anywhere near their dwellings or in the fields is a means of encouraging the spread of this weakening and often fatal complaint. It would be well if efforts were made to prevent this filthy habit, and suitable privy accommodation provided for the coolies at a reasonable distance from their barracks.
I would suggest that trenches would serve the purpose, but it would be necessary
to fill these up with earth, and open fresh ones from time to time.
The deposits should be covered with carbolic powder, and be burned when a fresh trencli is made. I do not think it would be difficult to induce the coolies to make use of these trenches, and the little trouble would be well repaid if their health improved.
5. Great care should be taken that the water-supply is not contaminated, for this is a sure way of spreading the disease, and the coolies should be warned t be careful where they defecate in the fields so that the water may be kept pure.
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