PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :—
FLTIPLICO. 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHÉNOT TO
SIR,
94
Enclosure 3 in No. 15.
Singapore, Straits Settlements (address: c/o American
Consulate, Colombo, Ceylon), 16th March, 1915.
I HAVE the honour to state that I take much pleasure in advising you that a copy of the correspondence with respect to ankylostomiasis in the Seychelles, which was addressed to the. Honourable the Secretary of State, Mr. Harcourt, has been referred to me by the International Health Commission. Before going further into the matter might I ask that you be so kind as to have the following additional information reach me, if practicable, at Colombo, Ceylon, not later than 10th May:
(1.) The respective percentage of infection of hookworm and other intestinal parasites among 100 (preferably 200) representative persons, the same to be deter- mined by microscopical examinations of the stools. The persons chosen for the examination should come in part from La Digue and in part from other islands or localities, and the percentage of infection from each place stated.
(2.) Several microscopic slides should be sent showing the ova of hookworm and other intestinal parasites found.
(3.) The population of each island or locality, and the practicability of making microscopical examinations of the stools of all inhabitants and having them take the medicine which would be furnished for those who are found infected.
(4.) In the event the International Health Commission undertook to provide the necessary personnel to make the examinations and to furnish the treatment, would the Seychelles Government be prepared (a) to make arrangements for the safe dis- posal of the human excrement of the entire population along the lines suggested by your Committee, 16th July, 1914, composed of W. M. Vaudin, J. B. Addison, and M. S. Power; (b) to furnish transportation from place to place in Seychelles as may be needed for the work; (c) to suggest living accommodations for the personnel, and state the cost thereof per member per month?
(5.) Could a physician and suitable assistants competent to do the microscopical work be employed in Seychelles? If so, at what monthly compensation?
(6.) How often do steamers leave from Colombo for Seychelles and from Sey- chelles for Port Said?
With the hope that the proposed work will have a successful outcome and my thanks for the trouble I may cause you,
Lieutenant-Colonel,
The Honourable C. R. M. O'Brien,
Governor, Seychelles.
38960
No. 16.
I have, &c.,
VICTOR G. HEISER,
Director for the East.
WINDWARD ISLANDS (GRENADA).
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Grenada. Miscellaneous.)
Downing Street, 16th September, 1915.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 132, of the 28th July,* covering the Report of the International Health Commission on the work in Grenada for the quarter ended 30th June last.
I have read this Report with interest. I note with satisfaction that the diffi. culty in connexion with the budget has been overcome. I am glad to observe, in the minutes of the Grenada Advisory Committee, clear indications that the Committee have kept fully in view the importance of securing that the improvement of sanitary accommodation is carried on concurrently with the treatment of infected persons. Experience in other Colonies continues to show that this aspect of the matter deserves the most serious consideration.
* No. 8.
35
I hope that the recommendations of the Advisory Committee will receive early and rapid consideration, and that their reference to the further Committee which you have appointed will not involve any avoidable delay in submitting to the Legis- lative Council such of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee as you, in consultation with your legal advisers, consider it expedient to put forward.
I have, &c.,
A. BONAR LAW.
43283
No. 17.
GRENADA.
THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received 18th September, 1915.)
[Answered by No. 24.]
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, 24th August, 1915.
SIR.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 18th July, 1915 (No. 30932), and in reply I am enclosing herewith a statement regard- ing the respective merits of the pan and pit latrines, based largely upon observation of these types in operation in the United States and the West Indian Colonies. As conditions vary but little in the several West Indian Colonies the question may be handled safely in a general way for the whole of this section.
While it is understood from the standpoint of the International Health Com- mission that the responsibility for sanitary measures must, in all cases, be assumed by the Government directly interested, yet it would seem reasonable to hope that, as a result of experience and observation, some degree of uniformity in regulations and type of latrines will be brought about.
I am, &c.,
H. H. HOWARD, M.D., Director for the West Indies.
Enclosure in No. 17. OBSERVATIONS ON THE RESPECTIVE MERITS OF THE
"PIT LATRINE.'
"
"PAN LATRINE AND THE
"THE basic principle that underlies all methods of sewage disposal is to get rid of the sewage as speedily as possible, with the least nuisance to the smallest number of people, with the least damage to health or property, and at the smallest cost."-("Rosenau-Preventive Medicine.")
One of the most difficult problems of modern sanitation is to secure the proper disposal of fæcal matter in rural communities, at individual homes in villages, and on the farm.
Difficulties which ordinarily attend sewage disposal are in this instance increased because any co-operative sewage system is impracticable, and the type of latrine adopted must, as a unit, be complete within itself, meeting as far as possible every demand for safety and convenience, and at the same time:-
(1) Be inexpensive in cost of construction.
(2) Be as nearly automatic as possible and inexpensive in operation.
(3) Dispose of the night-soil finally with a minimum of danger and offence to
the public.
(4) Require a minimum amount of supervision and inspection by sanitary
authorities.
For present purposes a comparison of the two types, the pan or bucket latrine and the pit latrine, will suffice.
Of the various latrines which have been recommended from time to time which are worthy of consideration, the two mentioned above are the least expensive both in construction and operation.
D
* No. 3.