159
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
C.O.885
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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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I draw attention to the inclosed memorandum of Professor Crookshank, which I think amply shows that no bacteriological laboratory has superior claims to those of the bacteriological department of King's College to be included in such a list.
Such recognition would in no way prejudice the scheme for clinical instruction at the Seamen's Hospital, nor such bacteriological work as is incident to diagnosis and clinical teaching in a hospital.
My Council will be grateful if the above statement and that of Professor Crook- shank may be submitted to the Secretary of State for his kind consideration.
I am, &c.,
•
A. ROBERTSON, Principal of King's College, and Vice-Chairman
of King's College Hospital.
Enclosure in No. 123.
MEMORANDUM of an Interview with the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, at which a detailed statement was made by Professor Crookshank on the following subjects:-
(a.) The instruction given to Colonial medical practitioners in the Bacterio-
logical Department of King's College, London.
(b.) A scheme which would enable King's College to co-operate with the pro-
posed School of Tropical Medicine.
(c.) A suggestion for encouraging all Colonial practitioners on leave from foreign service, or private practice, to study tropical diseases, and the methods of original research.
(a.)
The instruction given to Colonial Medical Practitioners in the Bacteriological Department of King's College, London,
Twelve years ago the Bacteriological Laboratories were founded, and thoroughly equipped, for the purposes of teaching and research.
The Laboratories were opened to all, and special facilities granted to Colonial and foreign practitioners.
More than 1,000 qualified medical practitioners, many of them holding high positions in the Colonial, Naval, Indian and Army Medical Services, have passed through a course of instruction.
The list of registered names includes those of practitioners from Egypt, West Coast of Africa, Uganda, the Cape, British Guiana, Jamaica, Trinidad, Straits Settlements, India, Ceylon, China, Japan, Queensland, New South Wales, Canada, New York State, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, California, Chili, Buenos Ayres. Several workers in the Laboratories have been specially trained with a view to combating plague, cholera, yellow fever, madura disease, actinomycosis, rinderpest, pleuro-pneumonia, and other diseases prevalent in the Colonies and in foreign countries. The Colonial and War Offices have recognised the Laboratories by granting leave of absence in order that their officers might be trained in King's College.
The course of instruction consists of:-
(1) Lectures and practical instruction in all that relates to the knowledge which we at present possess of the causation and prevention of diseases of man and animals attributed to bacteria and other micro-parasites.
`(2) Advanced technical instruction in the methods of original research, thereby
· encouraging further researches by competent observers.
(b.)
Scheme which would enable King's College to co-operate with the proposed School of Tropical Medicine.
A thorough knowledge of the diseases referred to above cannot be imparted in a small clinical laboratory attached for convenience to the wards of a hospital.
For two reasons :--
Firstly: There would be no opportunity for giving instruction in the epidemic diseases of animals. It will at once be admitted that the services of Colonial Health
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officers and Colonial practitioners would be of far greater value they were equally qualified (in the absence of any veterinarians, or by co-operation with them) to advise upon the best means of stamping out tuberculosis, actinomycosis, rinderpest, pleuro-pneu- monia, suria, Loodiana disease, etc., and if they were competent also to undertake ori- ginal researches in connection with these diseases of animals.
Secondly: Cases of such diseases as leprosy, yellow fever, cholera, plague, madura foot, so rarely gain admission into this country that instruction at the bedside, sup- plemented by the clinical laboratory, would be extremely irregular and very inadequate. For instruction in these subjects, reliance must be placed mainly on very complete pathological and bacteriological lectures, with practical study in the laboratory of materials and specimens obtained from the Colonics, and of cultivations of micro- organisms occurring in these diseases. To collect such material, and to constantly carry on the cultivations, necessitates a large, well-equipped laboratory, with a well- trained staff ready at all times to give instruction, and practically devoting the whole of their time to bacteriological teaching and research. Such a laboratory can only be provided and maintained at very great cost, and it takes time to ootain the necessary materials for teaching purposes. And, further, if a new laboratory on this scale is pro- vided, it would only be able to undertake the work which has been carried on for so many years at King's College. It would not supply any want, but it would enter into competition with King's College, with the result of undermining the work of an exist- ing institution. The effects of this would be very severely felt.
Mr. Chamberlain's object being the advancement of the education of Colonial prac titioners, and the control of tropical diseases, it only remains to be discussed how far such an admirable scheme can receive the support of all.
The following suggestions are based upon a large experience with the needs of Colonial practitioners and are submitted as indicating a plan for obtaining the co- operation instead of the opposition of existing institutions.
The following regulations might be made:-Candidates for Colonial appoint- ments must have attended and be "signed up
"for:-
(1) A special course of Clinical Instruction in Tropical Medicine. (This might be given at the School and Hospital of Tropical Medicine in conjunc- tion with the Metropolitan Hospitals.
By agreement with the London Hospitals an arrangement might be made by which candidates for the Colonial Service were granted a "circular ticket" giving them the privilege of seeing any cases in the wards of Metropolitan hospitals which would be of interest. to Colonial practitioners.)
(2) A course of Lectures on Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, delivered at the School of Tropical Medicine or any other Medical School recognised by the Colonial Office as providing adequate training in this subject.
(3) A course of Lectures and Practical Instruction, of not less than six weeks' duration, in a Bacteriological Laboratory or Institution recognised by the Colonial Office as fully equipped with the materials and teaching staff necessary for giving the instruction required.
r
(c.)
Suggestion for encouraging all Colonial practitioners on leare from foreign service, or private practice, to study tropical diseases and the methods of original research, Those who have already held appointments in the Colonial Service and those who are qualifying for private practice in the Colonies would derive very great benefit if they were to take advantage of lectures and practical studies, and thus keep themselves in touch with the most recent views and with current research.
Practitioners might be encouraged, when on leave from foreign service, to renew their studies. It would be of great assistance if there were Colonial Scholarships or Studentships entitling the holders to free attendance upon the same courses of lectures, and laboratory instruction, upon which attendance is required by all candidates for the Colonial Service.
EDGAR M. CROOKSHANK, M.B.,
Professor of Comparative Pathology and Bacteriology, and Director of the Bacteriological Department, King's College, London.
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