PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
SIR,
14
Enclosure in No. 22.
Major WL to the SUPERINTENDENT, African Protectorates.
Education in, and Investigation of, Tropical diseases.
Portsmouth, February 8, 1904.
WITH reference to papers forwarded to me relating to the above subject, I have the honour to submit the following comments with respect to the British East Africa and Uganda Protectorates.
Dr. Daniels' suggestion, as to the establishment of laboratories for the purpose of research in tropical medicine, appears to me to be sound.
Such institutions, especially if in connection with native hospitals, would afford opportunities to the local medical staff for the investigation of the numerous problems yet unsolved in the field of tropical medicine, and for perfecting themselves in modern practical methods of accurate diagnosis.
2. A bacteriological laboratory, to which a fully qualified bacteriologist has been accredited, has already been established at Entebbe, Uganda, the neighbour- hood of which appears to furnish exceptional opportunities in the way of material for the investigation of tropical diseases. This laboratory is also used by Captain Greig, I.M.S., for the study of sleeping sickness. For this latter purpose I under- stand that a sum of £1,000 has been voted for the ensuing financial year. I am of opinion that for the present at least, this laboratory ought to adequately meet the requirements of the two Protectorates.
3. If, as suggested by Dr. Daniels, a central research institute be established for all African Protectorates and Colonies, I cannot conceive a more suitable locality for such than Uganda, where a practically unlimited supply of material in the shape of malaria, blackwater fever, dysentery, sleeping sickness, plague (?) &c., as well as many hitherto undetermined skin diseases, is at hand.
4. Having regard to the present financial position of the Protectorates, I could not recommend medical officers being relieved of all other work to enable them to work at the laboratory. There is, however, another point which I would venture to direct attention to as worthy of serious consideration. It is, whether better
results than are at present obtained would not be secured by medical officers on first appointment receiving their instruction in tropical diseases at such an institute or laboratory, instead of, as at present at a school of tropical medicine in England. In the former, material for practical work would always be abundant, whereas in the latter, although the theoretical teaching may be excellent, there must necessarily at times be a paucity of material for practical instruction.
I have, &c.,
J. WILL,
15
tropical diseases, I have the honour to inform you that I have brought before my Executive Council the question of making a contribution to the fund mentioned in the last paragraph of Mr. Chamberlain's despatch of the 28th May last.
2. Although Malta is not a tropical Colony, and has, therefore, no direct interest in the investigation of tropical diseases, still, in view of the fact that Mediterranean fever is one of the subjects included in the syllabus of lectures at the School of Tropical Medicine in London, the Council advised that the Government of Malta should contribute a sum of £50 to the fund mentioned above.
3. A Supplementary Estimate will be brought before the Council of Govern- ment at an early date, and as soon as it is passed the Crown Agents will be requested to pay that amount to the credit of the fund.
I have, &c.,
5820
(No. 34.)
No. 24. JAMAICA.
CHAS. M. CLARKE,
Governor.
GOVERNOR SIR A. W. L. HEMMING to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received February 18, 1904.)
SIR,
King's House, Jamaica, January 30, 1904. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, General, dated the 1st instant, and with reference thereto to say that I have been much interested in the account contained in your predecessor's circular despatch of the 28th May lastt of what has been done, and is proposed to be done, in the direction of improving the sanitary conditions of tropical Colonies where malaria is prevalent, and in pro- viding for the giving of special instruction in tropical fevers and diseases to medical
men.
2. With reference to the conclusion of Mr. Chamberlain's despatch,t I would add that I have no doubt the Legislative Council of Jamaica will not be behindhand in contributing towards the expenses of continuing the important and useful work which has been begun, if such assistance is required.
I have, &c., AUGUSTUS W. L. HEMMING,
Governor.
Principal Medical Officer, British East Africa and Uganda Protectorates.
6059
TIT
Reference :-
885
9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
The Superintendent,
African Protectorates.
5628
No. 23.
MALTA.
GOVERNOR SIR C. M. CLARKE to MR. LYTTELTON.
(Received February 17, 1904.)
[Answered by No. 32.]
(No. 21.) SIR,
The Palace, Valletta, February 12, 1904. WITH reference to your predecessor's circular despatch of the 28th May last,* and your despatch, General, of the 1st ultimo,t on the subject of the investigation of malaria and the training of medical officers in the prevention and treatment of
* [Cd. 1598.]
↑ Not printed.
r
No. 25.
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER TAYLOR to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received February 20, 1904.)
(No. 37.)
SIR,
[Answered by No. 34.]
Government House, Penang, January 26, 1904.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 434, of
the 4th of December ultimo, ‡ transmitting copy of a letter from Sir P. Manson with regard to the Institute for Medical Research at Kuala Lumpor.
2. I referred your despatch with the enclosures to the Resident-General for consideration, and I send herewith his reply giving cover to a minute by Dr. Daniels, the present Director of the Institute.
3. It will be seen that Dr. Daniels is disposed to recommend the appointment,→ as permanent assistant, of Dr. Milne, now the assistant for bacteriological work at the Institute, and the Resident-General appears to concur in that recommendation.
• Not printed.
↑ [ca. 1598] June, 1903.
‡ No. 124 in Miscellaneous No. 139.