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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
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23 PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
Year of Issue.
1902.
1903.
1904.
1,905.
1906.
LL
Circular by Hon. Surgeon-General, 24th March, 1902:-
Enquiries if microscopes have been provided." Annual Reports, Hon. Surgeon-General and Medical Inspector, 1901-1903 :-
"There are strong grounds for believing that this disease has been and is still being introduced into the Colony by East Indian immigrants."
Draws attention to mode of infection.
Raises the question of latrines in yards.
Circular by Hon. Surgeon-General, 9th May, 1902:-
Asks for return of cases from all Government Medical Officers. Hon. Government Secretary suggests a draft letter to be drawn up by Surgeon-General requiring Surgeons on coolie ships to take precautions. 18th June, 1902.
Hon. Surgeon-General, 21st June, 1902 -The simplest and most effectual preventive measure is the establishment of latrines and burial of excreta. Suggests treatment during voyage by ships' surgeons.
Circular, Hon. Surgeon-General, 2nd July, 1902, to all Govern- ment Medical Officers :--
Dispensers at Estates Hospitals to see that all fæces of patients suffering from Ankylostomum duodenale are buried or otherwise destroyed.
Hon.Surgeon-General, Annual Report, 1903-04 :—
Describes mode of infection, ground itch as probable result of entry of embryos; appeals for latrine accommodation.
Letter to Planters' Association re Hon. Surgeon-General's suggestions, 12th October, 1904 :—
"These suggestions were opposed by planters." Circular, Hon. Surgeon-General to all Government Medical
Officers:-
All newly-allotted immigrants to be examined on arrival on estate. Form issued for use in reports.
Circular by Surgeon-General to all Government Medical Officers, private practitioners, managers, attorneys, proprietors of sugar estates and editors of local newspapers, 24th January,
1905.
Annual Report, 1904-05, Hon. Surgeon-General and Medical Inspector
C
Several Managers of sugar estates have erected latrines, with marked results." On one estate where latrines were established the disease has almost disappeared." Government Emigration Agent, Calcutta, 26th June, 1905. Reports failure of attempt to treat cases in depôt at Calcutta. Coolies absconding to avoid treatment.
Hon. Surgeon-General. Replies 9th August, 1905, pointing out defects in treatment at Calcutta.
Emigration Agent, Calcutta, 26th September, 1905 :-Treat- ment in depôt impossible, as would result in a stampede from the depôt States 75 per cent. of Indian peasantry harbour the parasite, and in the majority of cases no harm ensues.
Sir Patrick Manson suggests treatment on voyage to West Indies.
Hon. Surgeon-General to Hon. Government Secretary, 29th November, 1905. Reports erection of latrines on estates and beneficial results. Suggests treatment on board ship and that 58. be deducted for every immigrant landed with ankylostomes.
Government Emigration Agent, Calcutta, 23rd December, 1905. Reports death of a female immigrant on board ship "Forth" after treatment for ankylostomiasis.
Hon. Surgeon-General, 20th February, 1906.
The Immigration Agent-General, Calcutta, has been a steady
Year of Issue.
1907.
1906.
1907.
opponent of our crusade against the introduction of immigrants infected with ankylostomes.
Medical Inspector, 1905-1906.
Reports 4,918 cases were treated in estates' hospitals, and on 18 of the sugar estates latrines have been established with most encouraging results.
Report by Dr. Fonseca on immigrants on ship "Forth," 15th October, 1906.
Sixty-five adults selected, only six free from ova or ankylostomes. Treatment with thymol or beta-naphthol. No reason why coolies should not be landed in the Colony free from infection.
But doubts if weather, time, bunk accommodation in hospital, &c., will permit.
Suggests method of treatment on board and tabloids of beta- naphthol be supplied for use.
Government Secretary to Surgeon-General, 21st December, 1906 :--
Does ankylostomiasis exist amongst sections of the community other than East Indian immigrants?
1907 :-
Surgeon-General to Government Secretary, 2nd January,
Yes. Refers to erection of latrines on estates, but no statistics
Secretary of State to Governor of British Guiana, 14th February,
for villages.
1907.
Sir Patrick Manson approves of Dr. Fonseca's proposals. Crown Agents instructed to arrange for Dr. Fonseca to carry out his proposals experimentally
Immigration Agent-General, British Guiana, 18th March, 1907 :-
Any scheme embracing but a section of the community, and that
a small one, is unlikely to be attended with permanent benefit.
Medical Inspector, 27th March, 1907:-
"free
I quite agree, the indentured population was taken in hand first because we have more control over them, but a great many people are treated regularly. Unfortunately, we have no control over people in villages. Let us apply Puerto Rico methods here if possible.
Meeting of Surgeon Superintendents held at Crown Agents, 28th October, 1906.
(1) The universal examination of dejecta not necessary.
(2) The use of drugs should be left to the discretion of the
Surgeon Superintendent on the ship.
Surgeon-Superintendent Miley, 13th February, 1907. Considers treatment on ship impossible, also useless, as immi- grants would speedily be re-infected.
Various letters from Surgeons objecting to treatment on board;
only one, Dr. Harrison, agrees with Dr. Fonseca's proposals.
Colonial Secretary to Crown Agents, 1st April, 1907.
It is not proposed to interfere with the discretion of the Surgeon- Superintendents in dealing with ankylostomiasis.
1907.
Governor of British Guiana to Colonial Secretary, 17th June,
May Drs. Fonseca and Harrison be placed in charge of ships bringing immigrants to Demerara?
Hon. Acting Surgeon-General replies to Dr. Miley's letter, 8th June, 1907.
We desire to cut off the supply of fresh infection being sent us every year, as we are doing all we can to rid ourselves of the disease on estates here.
The work begun on sugar estates must be perfected before we can tackle the larger and much more difficult aspect of it in villages.
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