151
180
1 : == ན"A"
།།། །།
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
سكسليبيا
Reference :--
C.O.885
7
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
I shall dissect more to-morrow, and shall soon be able to telegraph to Mr. Jones, I hope. But there is evidently going to be a difficulty about getting patients from whom we can infect mosquitos.
We have been very kindly put up by His Excellency the Governor, but as it will not be right to stay with him indefinitely, we propose to go into quarters which have been kindly offered us by Major Morris, 1st West India Regiment. There are no quarters available at Porter's Hotel or elsewhere. Those offered by Major Morris are very good, and large enough to let me get our apparatus out. Dr. Strachen, the Principal Medical Officer of Lagos, has pressed us to go there, if we have time
We have done most exceptionally well, according to my experience, up to date.
Yours,
23173.
23962.
SIR,
No. 249.
THE ROYAL SOCIETY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received September 7, 1899.)
R. Ross.
The Royal Society, Burlington House, W., September 7, 1899.
In reply to your letter of August 25th* (22386/99), I am directed to reply as follows:-
It has been shown that, while several species of mosquitoes or gnats do not convey to man in their bites the parasite of malaria, there are some species that certainly do so. This has been demonstrated in India, in Italy, and elsewhere.
Major Ross's telegram must be interpreted as meaning that he has proved that in West Africa malaria may be transmitted by a particular species of mosquito found there; and this fact is certainly of cardinal importance in respect to the prevalence of malaria in that region.
In the absence of detailed information, the exact nature of the work which Major Ross wishes to be carried on after his departure can only be guessed at. If the malaria- bearing mosquito of West Africa, like those of India and Italy, breed only in special and comparatively scarce pools or collections of water, it is possible, indeed probable, that Major Ross has not had time to ascertain all the possible breeding places, and that this is the part of the investigation which needs to be carried out to completion.
That this should be done is certainly of the greatest importance, for if by the de- struction of its breeding places the malaria-bearing mosquito could be got rid of in any region, there would be at least great hope that malaria would disappear from the district concerned. In any case, considering the great value of the work which Major Ross has already accomplished, it seems very desirable that his request for additional assistance should be complied with.
But this assistance cannot be afforded by the observers now in British Central Africa. Even if they return immediately, indeed, even if, as is probably the case, two of them are already on their way home, they cannot reach West Africa before Major Ross leaves; and it is important that, sent to West Africa, they should first return
to this country in order that they may consult the Committee, and by personal inter- view with Major Ross make themselves acquainted with the character of his inquiry, and the results which he has already obtained.
It may be added that it is very desirable that the Commisssion, or at least such part of it as may be necessary for the purpose, should not leave British Central Africa until it has been ascertained how far species of mosquito play there the part in the pro- pagation of malaria which they have been proved to do elsewhere; and a telegram has been despatched urging this upon them.
I have, &c.,
• No. 243.
M. FOSTER,
Secretary, Royal Society.
No. 250.
GOLD COAST.' LAGOS.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNORS SIR F. M. HODGSON and SIR W. MACGREGOR.
(Gold Coast. No. 360.) (Lagos. No. 291.)
[Answered by No. 261.].
Downing Street, September 7, 1899.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to inform you that an expedition, under the direction of Major Ronald Ross, which has been sent out by the Liverpool School of Tropical Diseases for the investigation of malaria, and which is at present at Sierra Leone, may in the course of its researches visit the Gold Coast.
Lagos.
2. Should it do so, I should be glad if you would assist it as far as possible.
3. I should at the same time inform you that Dr. Christophers and Dr. Stephens, who have been sent out by the Committee appointed by the Royal Society and myself to study the same disease in British Central Africa, will be returning to this country almost immediately, and will upon their arrival proceed at once to the West Coast of Africa, when I trust they will be given every facility for their researches.
4. I will communicate to you the exact date of their departure for the Coast as soon as the date is known.
23173.
SIR,
No. 251.
I have, &c.,
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
WITH reference to my letter of the 25th ultimo,* I am directed by Mr. Secretary
Downing Street, September 7, 1899. Chamberlain to transmit to you, for the information of the Malaria Committee, a copy of a further letter from the Liverpool School of Tropical Diseases, together with a copy of a despatch‡ which has been addressed to the Governors of the Colonies of the Gold Coast and Lagos, on the subject of the Malaria Investigation Expedition under Major Ross, which is at present working at Sierra Leone.
23962.
No. 252.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
COLONIAL OFFICE to MR. C. W. DANIELS. (Sent 11.45 a.m., September 8, 1899.)
TELEGRAM.
、
[Answered:
: see Nos. 254 and 259.]
Following from Malaria Committee:-Work out thoroughly malaria mosquito problem, species concerned, its haunts, possible extinction, before you leave. Keep colleagues if necessary.
• No. 243.
↑ No. 248.
LUCAS.
‡ No. 250.