137
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
ITTIC.O.885
7
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
46
there the preliminary observations which it is desirable that they should make, and return to England in time to receive their fuller instructions from the Committee towards the end of October or beginning of November.
I am to add that I am authorised to confer with Mr. Lucas, as suggested in his letter, with the view of arranging such details as need to be settled before the Com- mittee meets.
19030
SIR,
No. 58.
BRITISH GUIANA.
I am,
&c.,
M. FOSTER,
Secretary, R.S.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR W. J. SENDALL. [Answered by Nos. 66 and 75.]
(No. 244.)
Downing Street, September 6, 1898.
I HAVE had under my consideration, more especially in reference to the West Coast of Africa, the important question of the possibility of reducing the abnormal rate of mortality and sickness prevalent among Europeans resident in tropical climates.
2. After consultation with some of the principal medical authorities on the subject, I have decided to take action in two directions, from which I trust useful re- sults may be obtained.
3. In the first place, as you will gather from my circular despatch, dated the 19th of August,* which goes by the same mail which carries this despatch, I propose to es- tablish a School of Tropical Medicine in London at which the medical officers of the Colonies may be given special instruction in the treatment of tropical diseases.
4. I need hardly enlarge upon the importance of this proposal to the inhabitants of such a Colony as British Guiana, where the sickness and mortality from such dis- At present the greater eases as malarial fever and anchylostoma is so considerable. number of medical officers at the time of their appointment have little or no know- ledge of the diagnosis and treatment of tropical disease, though they may, by the ex- igencies of the Service, be placed at once in responsible positions, where such a know- ledge would be of the highest importance.
5. The authorities of the Seamen's Hospital at Greenwich-of whose teaching staff the medical adviser of this Department is a prominent member-have agreed to the establishment of such a school in connection with that institution. The esti- mated cost of the necessary buildings for the accommodation of the school is £3,550, towards which sum the Imperial Treasury has agreed to contribute £1,775 on the condition that the Colonies concerned contribute the remaining moiety.
6. The second measure which I propose is the institution of a thorough, scientific investigation into the causes and cure of malaria. This proposal has already, after correspondence with the Royal Society, taken definite shape, and is, briefly, as follows:-
The Royal Society will nominate two competent observers who will proceed first to Italy, and afterwards to some place in Africa, probably Blantyre, in the British Central Africa Protectorate, where there are good opportunities for studying the disease.
In addition I intend to nominate a medical officer of the Colonial Service to aid in the investigation. The officer selected will, in the first place, proceed to India in order to study under Surgeon-Major Ross for about two months, so as to make himself acquainted with the results of that gentleman's researches, which are believed to be of great value. He will then join the other two observers in Africa, where they will
• No. 54.
47
pursue their studies, which will probably occupy about two years, in common, reporting from time to time to a committee nominated jointly by the Royal Society and myself.
The expenses of the two observers are estimated to be likely to amount to about £3,000, towards which the Royal Society will contribute £600, leaving the balance, £2,400, to be contributed by the Colonies interested.
In addition the whole salary and expenses of the third observer will have to be defrayed from the funds of the Colonies, who will, however, recoup such expenditure many times over if, as is probable, important sanitary results are obtained through the investigation.
I propose, on Dr. Manson's recommendation, to select Dr. C. W. Daniels as the Colonial medical officer to take part in the investigation, and I should be glad if you would ascertain if he is prepared to accept this appointment; if so, he should leave the Colony for this country as soon as possible, and I should be glad if you would in- form me by telegraph of his acceptance or otherwise, and of the date of his departure. He will receive salary during his absence at the rate he is at present drawing, viz., £450 per annum, in addition to his actual travelling expenses, and his employment out- side the Colony will be counted for purposes of seniority and, if possible, pension as if it had been service within the Colony.
With regard to the source from which his remuneration is to be defrayed, I would suggest that he should draw from British Guiana funds full pay for such vacation leave as may be due to him, and half-pay for the remainder of his absence, and I should be glad if, for pension purposes, this service might be counted as service under the Colo- nial Government. The payment of his half salary and the guarantee of his pension may be regarded as a contribution from the Colony towards the expenses of the scheme. Whether any further contribution will be asked for, I cannot say at present, until the total expenditure of the two schemes has been apportioned, but the addition,
any at
all, will be very small, and you will probably agree with me that it is not unreasonable that, if funds are available, British Guiana should be asked to contribute in a substan- tial manner towards the objects specified in this despatch, viz., scientific investigation and the establishment of a School of Tropical Medicine.
If you cannot settle all the terms of Dr. Daniels' appointment without consulting the Combined Court, the intention and importance of what is proposed should, of course, be fully explained to them, and I should hope that they will readily consent to the expenditure.
It is desirable that the matter should be settled as soon as possible.
19304.
No. 59.
I have, &c.,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.
Downing Street, September 7, 1898.
SIR,
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo, in which you transmitted a copy of a letter from the Rev. J. McMurtrie, with regard to the appointment of a Commission to en- quire into tropical and especially blackwater fever, and to suggest that Dr. Patrick Manson, the medical adviser of this Department, should be permitted to be present at the interview with Dr. McMurtrie, if that interview has not already taken place.
2. If this suggestion is accepted, I am to request that you will communicate with Dr. Manson direct at 21, Queen Anne Street, London, W.
I am, &c.,
• No. 55.
FRED. GRAHAM.
20045.
48