PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.885
21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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In larger streams and ponds the edges are well cleared, and they and the water are well sprayed.
Swamps are cleared as far as possible, drains cut, and looked after as above
In some instances boats are used, especially in ponds, rivers, &c., so that a man may be the better able to treat the edges.
In some swamps large amounts of crude oil and larvicide
are used.
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133. Issue of quinine.-This method is also adopted, and has been of great service. In 1906 the amount used per In 1910 192 lbs. were issued during
inensem was 230 lbs.
the sume period.
134. Fumigation.--The Clayton apparatus is used in the main stations, but where not available the ordinary sulphur method is employed.
SUGGESTIONS.
135. In regard to recommendations for future work there are several things to which I desire to draw attention.
(4) After seeing the minute way in which, at the hospitals at Panama and Colon (where I should mention the number of medical officers is greater in proportion to the work to he done than in Lagos) I realize more fully than ever that we do not make the most of the material at our disposal,
The Resident Medical Officer at the Lagos Hospital has, as I know from personal experience, so many and varied calls that it is impossible for him, single-handed, to do all that might be done. If an assistant, who could also act as pathologist, were to be appointed, it would be an advance of very great advantage.
(6) In the public mortuary a large number of post-mortem examinations are made annually by direction of the Coroner, of which no record is kept except by him for legal purposes. These cases would probably yield much useful information were careful notes made and kept. If an extra man were appointed at the hospital, as suggested above, it might possibly be arranged that he should do this work.
(e) In reference to the more careful examination of fever cases, some modification of the system of their inspection in practice in Habana might be adopted. An officer of experience should be authorised to visit the hospital daily and consult with the Resident Medical Officer. Should a case give rise to any suspicion of its being yellow fever in
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the mind of either, a Committee, previously appointed for the purpose, should be at once called to see the patient.
(d) Medical men in the town should be called on to report any case of fever which they consider warrants a suspicion of yellow fever, and powers should be given the sanitary authorities to inspect such and take all necessary >teps.
(e) Until there is a pipe-borne water supply in Lagos, which will enable a vast proportion of the water-containers to be done away with, the anti-mosquito work by the Inspectors must be rigidly continued. factorily the Inspectors ought to be under the continuous To do this satis- supervision of an officer who could devote his whole time to the work. Either the Medical Officer of Health should have an assistant or a very carefully selected European should be appointed as a Chief Sanitary Inspector, the former being preferable.
On the Gold Coast I understand West Indians have been brought over from Trinidad as Inspectors, but this is expensive, and I consider local candidates for posts should, if suitable, be given the preference.
(7) As regards fumigation work, some of the present Inspectors and the labourers attached to them should be trained for this purpose so that should occasion arise there will be no delay.
(9) Every necessary required in the process of sealing up and fumigation should be kept in the Municipal Sanitary Store.
Transport should be arranged for, and in any emergency nothing should have to be prepared or obtained.
(h) Screening of Houses.—My visit to Panama has more firmly convinced me than ever that houses (including verandahs) should be completely screened, and I feel confi- lent the improvement in health and reduction in size of the daily sick-lists would show an ample return on the outlay.
The provision of a mosquito-proof room, or the screening of the building, leaving the verandah open, while better than nothing for those educated up to using them, will only give unsatisfactory results which will be used in endeavours to condemn the system and not the faulty methods of carrying it out.
In Panama all officers must choose between being in a screened house or in the open air, and never during the whole of my stay did I hear any complaint made nor did I
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