PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
19
Reference :-
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23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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8. Prevention of water pollution. It may be taken for granted that this method is adopted wherever a water supply has been established.
9. The prevention of infection through the skin by the wearing of boots.— Obviously this is not capable of universal application.
10. The curing of immigrants.—This is strongly advocated by Dr. Ozzard, of British Guiana.
The treatment of immigrants on ships was attempted by Dr. Fonceca, who used beta-naphthol.
Such treatment was considered inadvisable at a meeting held at the Crown Agents in 1908, and again at a meeting of coolie ship surgeons in 1913.
11. Sanitary Survey-This method of estimating the degree of soil pollution does not obtain in the British Colonies. (R.S.C., 3rd Report, p. 15.)
12. Legislation.-It appears that any law of nuisance in the West Indian Colonies is difficult to enforce, owing to the habits of the population.
The Committee of 1908 in their recommendations 1, 2, and 3, suggested lines on which legislation against the disease should be drafted.
CONCLUSIONS and REMARKS.
1. The disease is almost universally spread throughout our tropical possessions, and only requires looking for to be found.
2. The mere presence of a few ankylostomes in a man's body is not of grave import, except in that he is a danger to others.
3. Where, however, many successive reinfections occur a hyper-infection results, which is shown by the graver symptoms of the disease.
4. This hyper-infection is likely to occur in crowded localities-schools, mines, plantations, &c., especially if
5. Adequate and suitable latrine accommodation is not provided.
6. Treatment can only be undertaken under medical supervision.
7 August, 1913.
29172
No. 3.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNORS.
(Bahamas.)
(Barbados.)
British Guiana.)
(Leeward Islands.)
Windward Islands.)
T. F. G. M.
7
attempted. The formation of the International Health Commission provides an opportunity for securing in the British Colonies the results that have been obtained in America.
I understand that, in any country in which they propose to operate, the Com- mission will seek to co-operate with existing agencies, upon whom, if the disease is to be eradicated, will fall the responsibility of continuing the work; but it will aid the local authorities in organising and bringing into play their own forces, and by practical demonstration will seek to interest the people in the importance of the subject.
It is contemplated that Mr. Rose will visit the West Indian Colonies during the coming winter. I will endeavour to give you early notice if he should decide to visit the Colony under your government. If he should do so, I request that you will give him every possible facility for investigation and for co-operation with the local medical, sanitary, and educational authorities. In anticipation of his visit, you should cause to be prepared full particulars of the prevalence and distribution of the disease in the Colony, and of the measures which have been taken to cope with it. A a Committee copy of these particulars should be sent to me, for the information which I propose to form to co-ordinate the work in the various parts of the Empire.
I have,
&c.,
29172
No. 4.
L. HARCOURT.
COLONIAL OFFICE to INDIA OFFICE AND FOREIGN OFFICE.
SIR,
Downing Street, 9 October, 1913. [To India Office: With reference to your letter of the 31st of July last*]'I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to transmit, for the information of [the Secretary of State for India] [Secretary Sir Edward Grey], a copy of a despatch† which has been addressed to the Governors of the West Indian Colonies with regard to the organization of the International Health Commission and the forthcoming visit to certain Colonies of Mr. Wickliffe Rose, the Director of the Commission.
I am to state that the terms of this communication to the West Indian Colonies, so far as they deal with the objects and intentions of the Commission, were discussed with and approved by Mr. Rose, who, it is understood, proposes to visit Egypt and India later on. [To Foreign Office: I am to suggest that a copy of the despatch should be communicated to the American Ambassador if Sir Edward Grey sees no objection.]
I am, &c.,
HENRY LAMBERT, for the Under-Secretary of State.
SIR,
(British Honduras.)
(Miscellaneous.)
(Trinidad.)
(Jamaica.)
Downing Street, 26 August, 1913.
You are no doubt aware of the work done by the Rockefeller Sanitary Com- mission in the eradication of ankylostomiasis in the United States of America.
In extension of the work of the Rockefeller Foundation, a new body, known as the International Health Commission, has recently been organised with the object of adopting in other countries the measures which have been found so successful in the Southern States. Funds have been placed at the disposal of the Commission by the Rockefeller Foundation, and Mr. Wickliffe Rose, the Director of the Commission, has recently visited this country to confer with His Majesty's Government' with a view to the operations of the Commission in British possessions.
I have had an opportunity of meeting Mr. Rose and I have been much impressed by the magnitude of the work which he has already done in the Southern States of America. I understand that, under the auspices of the Sanitary Commission, more than half a million persons have been treated for ankylostomiasis, and that through- out a vast area the interest of the people has been aroused and the hearty co-opera- tion of the local authorities secured. The beneficent effects that have followed, and may be expected to follow, the eradication of ankylostomiasis are incalculable. This disease is responsible, as you are aware, for great suffering and loss of life through- out the tropical Empire, while the decrease of economic efficiency which is directly due to ankylostomiasis is a matter of grave anxiety. In many Colonies active steps have been taken for the prevention and treatment of the disease, but nothing on the scale of the operations of the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission has yet been
35307
(No. 138.)
No. 5.
BAHAMAS.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 11 October, 1913.)
Government House, Bahamas,
SIR,
17th September, 1913. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your despatch Miscellaneous of 26th August, 1913, and beg to forward a copy of a short report from Dr. McHattie, the Chief Medical Officer, as requested in paragraph 6 of your despatch.
2. From Dr. McHattie's report it is apparent that ankylostomiasis is not prevalent in these Islands, but, as there are some known cases, I hope this Colony will receive the attention of the International Health Commission with a view to eradicating the,disease and taking such steps as to prevent any possibility of it spreading.
* 26397: not printed.
† No. 3.