PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
PLLC.O. 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
154
Enclosure 8 in No. 112.
MINUTE FROM SURGEON-GENERAL.
HONOURABLE Colonial SECRETARY,
I AM not able to appreciate that it will be any easier for the Wardens to bring into operation the provisions of the new Bill when it becomes effective than it is for the Wardens now to continue the action they report that they are taking in Compulsory powers are this respect under the present Public Health Ordinance. in effect substantially the same under the old or the new Ordinance, and the more dwelling-houses that are provided with suitable privy accommodation when the new Ordinance comes with effect the easier will it be then for the Wardens to enforce its provisions.
Very little friction and very great benefit have resulted in the village of La Brea from a universal application of the existing law in respect of privy accommodation there. Successful "ankylostomiasis operations are impeded by the lack of privy accommodation.
13th May, 1915
Enclosure 9 in No. 112.
H. L. CLARE,
Surgeon-General.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED 28TH AUGUST, 1914, TO REPORT ON THE WORKING OF RULE 4 AND THE NEED OF AMENDMENT.
After the first meeting your Committee sent Your Committee have held three meetings. out circulars to all schools not sewered and the information obtained is summarized by the Acting Inspector of Schools in Appendix A.
Even the provisions of the The summary points to a most unsatisfactory state of things. existing Rule 4 are ignored in many cases, e.g., three schools report no latrines, twenty others (and Seventy-four report there are probably more) report that only one existe for the whole school. that the focal matter is received on the bare ground.
Of these latrines Colonel Dodd remarks in his memorandum, 10th August, 1914:-
**There is a fœtid heap of ordure under the seat which is not only most offensive but liable to spread enteric fever and dysentery. Moreover, it is liable to be washed far and wide by heavy rains, thus intensifying the risk of spreading ankylostomiasis."
Thus it is evident that in many cases there has been no efficient system of inspection either by Wardens (who by Ordinance 147, Section 11, Sub-section 2, are responsible for the sanitary condition of Government Schools), or by Managers of Assisted Schools, or by officers of the Education Department.
We suggest that:--
1. The Honourable the Surgeon General be asked to suggest an efficient and not costly type of latrine for both pit and pail system, in which provision is made for infants, for the approval of the Board.
2. Rule 4 be made to include urinals in schools where boys are admitted.
3. The amount of accommodation should bear a definite proportion to the average attend- ance. It appears from Appendix A that at present there is an allowance of one seat for every 46 boys and 88 girls. In England the provision is one seat for every 25 boys and 15 girls, the height of the seats being proportionate to the children's stature. 4. Wardens be instructed to furnish monthly a report on the condition of all school latrines,
Government and Assisted, in their ward.
5. Head Teachers be required to inspect the latrines daily and be held responsible for the carrying out of the Board's Regulations, failure to do so being considered "Neglect of duty under Rule 70.
6. Under the provisions of Ordinance 147, Section 12, Sub-section 5, notice be given to Managers of Assisted Schools that if Rule 4, and whatever further Regulations are made by the Board, be not complied with, assistance to the school will be withdrawn after a certain time.
In conclusion we entirely agree with the remarks of the Honourable the Surgeon-General in his memorandum of 25th August, 1014, "It is hopeless to effect any improvement in the general sanitation of the Colony if the opportunity for inculcating habits of cleanliness and decency amongst the rising generation that is afforded by their school life is disregarded and no attempt is made to train the young in advance of their forebears.**
The following are appended:-
(a) Bummary of answers to the Committee's circular by the Acting Inspector of Schools. (b) Answers tabulated as received.
(c) Regulations suggested by Dr. Masson for adoption by Managers, to be supervised by
Head Teachers.
(d) Précis of Regulations in force in Grenada under the Ankylostomiasis Ordinance.
H. H. HANCOCK,
STEPHEN M. LAURENCE,
E. PRADA,
GEORGE H. MASSON.
27219
155
No. 113.
CEYLON.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION. [Copy to Governor, 18th June, 1915. Miscellaneous. L.F.]
Downing Street, 18th June, 1915.
SIR,
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Bonar Law to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant* on the subject of the proposed visit to Ceylon of an officer of the International Health Commission to carry out a demonstration of measures to be taken for the relief and control of ankylostomiasis in that Colony.
2. I am to convey to you an expression of Mr. Bonar Law's appreciation of the generosity of the action of the International Health Commission, and to say that, subject to the observations of the Governor, from whom no communication on the subject has yet been received, the Secretary of State fully approves their pro- posals, on the understanding that the general treatment indicated in head 4 of the scheme does not involve compulsion, but will be effected, as in other fields of Mr. Bonar Law has operation, by persuasion and the education of public opinion. no doubt that this is the sense in which the Commission themselves interpret the proposal.
I am, &c.,
27211
SIR,
No. 114.
HENRY LAMBERT,
for the Under-Secretary of State.
BRITISH HONDURAS.
COLONIAL OFFICE to INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION.
Downing Street, 19th June, 1915.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Bonar Law to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant,t notifying the decision of the International Health Commission to send a representative to British Honduras for preliminary investi- gation and conference with the Colonial Government with reference to measures for the relief and control of uncinariasis.
2. Mr. Bonar Law highly appreciates the action of the International Health Commission in this matter.
27211
No. 115.
I am, &c.,
HENRY LAMBERT,
for the Under-Secretary of State.
BRITISH HONDURAS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Miscellaneous.)
SIR,
Downing Street, 19th June, 1915. WITH reference to your despatch No 37, of the 5th March, I have the honour to transmit to you copies of correspondence§ with the International Health Commission, who have, you will observe, agreed to send a representative to British Honduras to discuss with you proposals for the relief and control of ankylostomiasis in the Colony.
You will, no doubt, afford the representative of the Commission all possible facilities for the purposes of his visit.
I shall be glad to receive a report of the proposals which are put forward for your consideration in due course.
I have, &c.,
A. BONAR LAW.
* No. 109.
| No. 110.
No. 88.
Nos. 99, 110 and 111.
7
11th February, 1915.