PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
CO 885
9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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as it affects future policy, it appeared right to leave the question of this Colony con- tributing to a common fund in England for the advancement of the science of tropical medicine.
C. S.,
Enclosure in No. 26.
I have, &c.,
M. NATHAN,
Governor.
MINUTE by the GOVERNOR.
THE question in Mr. Chamberlain's circular despatch of May 28, 1903, to which a reply is required, and which I regret I overlooked at the time, is whether this Colony is prepared to contribute to a common fund in England to be devoted to advancing the science of tropical medicine. If it is, it will also be necessary to say what will be the annual amount, and how provision shall be made for it.
This is so much a matter of future policy that I small leave it to be dealt with by my successor.
I appreciate much the assistance which the Royal Society and the London and Liverpool Schools of Tropical Medicine have given in the matter of investigating tropical diseases. With the results of their investigations added to the lessons of sanitary science which were available even before these investigations were com- menced, we know now definitely the most pressing needs. Ample and pure water supply; good surface drainage; cleanliness and free circulation of air in towns; the separation of persons content to impose on themselves sanitary conditions from those who are only very slowly learning the value of those conditions; constant instruction in that value; the removal from the interior and surroundings of towns and villages of the indirect causes of malaria, such as pools of stagnant water, excessive vegetation, &c.; and the protection of individuals from mosquitos-the transmitters of the disease by mosquito-proof tanks, mosquito-proof rooms, mosquito curtains, destruction of mosquitos, &c.; these are all now recognised as making for health, and will require in varying degrees the expenditure of money. It is difficult to provide at the present time sufficient funds even for the minor works mentioned above in the numerous centres of European and native population in the Gold Coast Colony, and impossible to carry out the larger and more effectual improvements. In these cir- cumstances it seems to me doubtful whether we should not devote all funds we can spare to the removal of known rather than to the search for new causes of disease. Please bring this forward for the Governor's consideration on March 15, 1904.
February 2, 1904.
6746
SIR,
(No. 53.)
No. 27.
LEEWARD ISLANDS.
GOVERNOR SIR G. STRICKLAND to MR. LYTTELTON.
(Received February 25, 1904.).
[Answered by Nos. 47 and 93.]
M. N.
Government House, St. Kitts, February 6, 1904.
I VENTURE, in reply to Mr. Chamberlain's circular despatch of the 28th of May, 1903,* to submit some recommendations of minor importance, and regret that the financial position of the Colony does not, at present, admit of payments into a common fund, either for research or for the supply of trained nurses, suggested in paragraph 38 of that circular.
2. In order to encourage medical officers already in the service to arrange, when on leave, to attend the London School of Tropical Medicine, the return passage, as well as the fees, might, with advantage, be paid by the Crown Agents, charged to the Government of the Colony, and repaid, in instalments spread over two years
[Cd. 1598] June, 1903.
*
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by any Medical Officer not entitled to free tuition. No security for such should be demanded from Medical Officers already in the service, as it appears repayment advantageous to the Colony to take the moderate risk of paying any loss due to pre- mature death or otherwise.
3. Although progress has been made in adopting authorised forms of medical reports, two or three of the best, selected from the medical reports of all the Colonies, might be printed in England and circulated widely, as types which every medical officer in the Colonial Service could be invited to study. On such models even greater uniformity may be approached in the methods of conveying facts and professional opinions.
4. Wire gauze of the mesh recommended by Lord Onslow's Committee, but, perhaps, of somewhat stronger gauze and of gun metal rather than brass, should be sold at cost price, and its advantages widely advertised throughout the tropical Colonies. It has been reported to me that local dealers have demanded, for an inferior article, one thousand per cent. of the price paid by the Government for the gauze supplied through the Crown Agents.
5. Model residences might be built for minor officials, and rented at rates sufficient to cover interest and depreciation; model negro huts might also be built, provided with gauze screens to the windows, and with a porch and double swinging doors at the entrance. Colonial Engineers would, if encouraged, take an interest in ascertaining by experiment how cheaply such structures could be put together, with local resources, and the rent that could be obtained for them. When a demand is thus created property owners might be induced to develop it.
6. All hospital wards should be provided with gauze screens fixed outside the window frames, and the windows themselves be arranged to open inwards. In the case of fever wards, the entrances should be through small rooms (performing functions similar to those of a river lock) provided with double, or treble, spring doors.
7. With regard to the model referred to in the circular for mosquito curtains, it can, I think, be improved by having a broad hem at the bottom of the material recommended to be added to the net, and by passing through the hem an elastic braid, or cord, adjusted so as to keep the bottom of the curtain from being displaced from under the mattress, by a person asleep.
8. It has been brought to my notice that an experiment to import trained nurses has failed in this Colony, through no fault of the lady, but because remuneration approximately adequate for such services was not forthcoming from the public, and, therefore, the lady joined another in a planting venture in Dominica. Under the stress of supply and demand, the ultimate natural equilibrium could not, in such cases, be much retarded by action or inaction on the part of the Government.
9. It may be mentioned that the buildings provided as residences for the Governor in Antigua, St. Kitts, and Dominica are all in remarkable contravention of the principles laid down in the circular despatch under reply. Dominica is so close to an insanitary cemetery that European officials should not The house in be expected to reside there. As regards the house in Antigua, many sanitary defects have been remedied; but it is so low, and so close to native huts and other objection- able buildings, that English ladies and children living in it are subjected to hardships which Mr. Chamberlain's circular despatch places in a strong light. The house in St. Kitts has redeeming features, and a pleasant view, but it is in the town of Basseterre, and very close to cane fields; it is very old and uncomfortable; much of the timber is rotten; it is ill suited to stand a hurricane, or to contain an average family, and it has been almost deserted since it was inhabited by Mr. Risely Griffith.
10. The filling up of swamps, and the organized elimination of receptacles for stagnant water in which mosquitos breed, involves expenditure for which these islands do not appear able to provide; such measures of prevention should, never- theless, receive early attention.
11. In the town of St. John there is a mixed system of "privy pits" and dry earth removal; the pits offer the most dangerous conditions for the propagation of disease by mosquitos and ordinary house flies. The Town Board appears disposed to make the dry earth system general, but funds are not available. An offer of some Imperial assistance might enable the Town Board to complete this urgent sanitary reform.
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