41
131
of a kind which cannot be expected in an ordinary practitioner, however skilful and experienced. On the other hand, the Committee are able to recommend as observers two highly skilled and trained gentlemen, now residing in this country, who are wil ling to undertake the work.
In respect to the place where the investigations should be carried on, the Com- mittee are of opinion that this should be some spot, in itself healthy, or at least not too unhealthy, so that the observers might be fairly expected not to suffer too much from exposure, and yet a spot from which access at not great distance might be had to various forms, and especially malignant forms, of the disease, and if possible a spot possessing a hospital.
Although from the great prevalence of malaria and the abundance of malignant forms, the West Coast of Africa presents itself as the most suitable district for the in- quiry, the Committee are informed that no locality possessing the above-mentioned advantages exists there. On the other hand, on the East side, Blantyre is a place possessing these advantages, and they accordingly recommend that the inquiry should at least be begun at Blantyre. It will probably be found necessary at a later stage to visit the West Coast for the purposes of continuing the investigations there.
With respect to the duration of the inquiry, the Committee are of opinion that it must last at least two years. It cannot be expected that results of any value can be obtained in a shorter time.
With regard to the expenditure, it appears to the Committee that the emolument of the observers should be at the rate of £400 per annum for each observer. They do not think that a less sum can be given. This is exclusive of the cost of living and outfit for travelling expenses. The expenses for two years may be reckoned as
follows:-
Salaries of two observers for two years
1600
Passages out to Blantyre and back
400
Maintenance
200
Outfit, personal
100
Outfit, scientific
100
Possible additional cost of a visit to the West Coast or else-
where
300
270
Add 10 per cent., to cover unforeseen expenditure
or in round numbers a total of about £3,000.
The Committee believe that it would be waste of time and money to attempt the inquiry on any calculated expenditure materially different from the above.
As stated in my former letter, the President and Council of the Royal Society are This must be taken, by anticipation, from prepared to make an initial grant of £300. the grant of £4,000 annually made by Government for aid to scientific investiga- tion carried on in all parts of the Empire in all branches of science, and will fall on the grant expected to be made in 1899. The President and Council are further pre- The Com- pared to press for another allotment of £300 from the same grant, or, if necessary, are prepared to furnish it from the slender resources of the Society itself. mittee are prepared to spare no pains to bring the proposed inquiry to a successful issue; and they are ready to devote time and thought to the superintendence which may be needed. But they cannot hold out the promise of pecuniary aid greater than that just mentioned.
The Committee desire, in this relation, to point out that a small contribution from such of the many administrations suffering much loss from malarial disease, and, there- fore, interested in an inquiry which may lead to conspicuous preventive, or, at least, remedial results, would at once supply the funds needed.
I have, &c.,
M. FOSTER,
Secretary, R.S.
17424.
SIR,
No. 50.
COLONIAL OFFICE to ROYAL SOCIETY.
[Answered by No. 52.]
Downing Street, August 8, 1898. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant,* respecting the proposed investigation of malaria.
2. Mr. Chamberlain has carefully considered the proposals of the Committee appointed by the Royal Society to superintend the inquiry, and has also had the advan- tage of a personal conference with Lord Lister and Dr. Patrick Manson. Dr. Manson's views differ in some respects from those embodied in the Committce's letter, and he lays stress on the advantage of employing for the purposes of the enquiry at least one man who has had considerable professional experience of blackwater fever.
3. Mr. Chamberlain accepts the proposal of the Committee that an observer from Bombay should be sent to study under Surgeon-Major Ross at Calcutta, and to draw up a report upon his researches. With regard to the two observers who it is suggested should be entrusted with the main inquiry, Mr. Chamberlain would invite the concur- rence of the Committee in the following suggestions: that a specialist in biology shall be nominated by the Royal Society to proceed at once to Italy, and make himself there acquainted with the most recent results of biological science as bearing on the subject of the contemplated enquiry; that a second expert, a member of the Colonial Service, shall be nominated by himself, on Dr. Manson's recommendation, and be sent out to study under Surgeon-Major Ross for some such time as will be spent by the biologist in Italy; that these steps shall be taken without prejudice to further action, but in the hope that the same two observers will subsequently proceed to Africa and conduct joint investigations, first at Blantyre, provided that it is fully established that Blantyre possesses the necessary opportunities and facilities for investigation, and subsequently on the West Coast of Africa.
Mr. Chamberlain is somewhat disappointed that the Royal Society does not see its way to making a larger contribution towards the cost of carrying out these proposals, but, provided the Committee are inclined to meet his views as stated above, he will not let the question of expense stand in the way of thoroughly carrying out this important investigation. I am to ask for an early reply to this letter.
18038.
SIR,
No. 51.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
MERCER'S HOSPITAL, DUBLIN, to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received August 11, 1898.)
Mercer's Hospital, Dublin, August 9, 1898.
In answer to your letter! (16059/98) and rcular,‡ I am instructed to say that this is only a clinical hospital, and that we can only undertake to lecture on whatever cases happen to be in our wards. The matter you refer to would be more suitably dealt with by the various licensing bodies.
I am, &c.,
R. CHARLES B. MAUNSELL, Hon. Sec. Medical Board, Mercer's Hospital.
1918
• No. 49.
↑ Not printed.
‡ No. 12.
F
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TILTIC.O.885
7
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON