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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
885
9
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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3. I am fully convinced that the possession of a good lantern will be of the greatest value to the Colony from an educational point of view; it will not only be useful for instruction in hygiene and other definite subjects, but will serve for sornething much more important, the general widening of the minds of the people. Until some progress is made in this direction, I fear that all efforts to teach agri- culture, hygiene, &c., will not give satisfactory results.
4. The fact that English is very little spoken and very slightly understood outside Castries is also a very great obstacle to the successful teaching of such subjects.
5. This want of width of mind and this very slight knowledge of English cause the children of our schools to be generally inclined to learn without understanding. Consequently, they do not apply in practice what they learn in theory at school. I am convinced that, to quote the words of the Acting Governor of the Straits Settlements (S.S. 1905/919), "if hygiene, with text books, be made a compulsory subject in the schools, the only result will be cramming without understanding," and that, consequently, there will be no practical amelioration of the hygienic con- dition of the population. I believe that far more good will be done if we are not too systematic at first. The people can be reached much more easily through their eyes than through their minds. What I should like to see done is this: (a) A list of the principal points in which the rules of "hygiene " are not observed in St. Lucia, made out by the medical officers. (b) A series of lantern lectures prepared on these points and given in the schools of the chief districts; these lectures to be open to adults as well as children.
6. With regard to Dr. Macphail's suggestions as to the training of the teachers, I would respectfully submit that it would be advisable, before elaborating any scheme based on the co-operation of the district medical officers, to find out in how far they could or would co-operate. I note on page 9 of S.S. 1905/919 the Governor has for- annexed to this M.P. under heading St. Vincent, that
warded to the Secretary of State a report signed by all the medical officers of Grenada, from which it appears that they are unwilling to assist in initiating the work."
7. Whatever plan may be ultimately adopted I am most ready to co-operate in every way possible, whether by the giving of lectures or otherwise, in this im- portant matter.
January 12, 1906.
{
(6.)
ADMINISTRATOR to MEDICAL Board.
C. F. C.
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(7.)
MEDICAL BOARD to ADMINISTRATOR.
At a meeting of the Medical Board, held January 25, the above subject was considered. The members present do not think that lectures to the populace at large can be of the slightest benefit, chiefly for the reason of language, as pointed out by the Inspector of Schools. Neither member is able to lecture in " patois," and unless this were done, about one per cent. of the population outside Castries would understand.
Further, it has yet to be ascertained whether the other district medical officers are willing to co-operate and whether any remuneration is to be given for their services. Were these points settled, we think the best way to reach the populace would be through the school teachers.
Perhaps the best way of all would be to secure the co-operation of the estate holders and school managers and induce them to put labourers' huts and schools in a more sanitary condition. This example would, we think, be better than any amount of precept.
The Board will circularise the other district medical officers and find whether or not they are willing to take part.
DIGBY M. MACPHAIL. ALEX. KING.
January 25, 1906.
(8.)
MINUTE by ADMINISTRATOR.
The following statements are put forward as the opinions of the members of
the Board who considered this question:-
(1) Lectures would not be of the slightest benefit, chiefly because not more than one per cent. of the people outside Castries would understand them if delivered in English.
(2) It is not known whether the other medical officers will co-operate-the
Board will ascertain.
(3) It is not known whether the medical officers will be remunerated for their
services.
(4) The "best way'
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teachers.
It appears to me not too much to say that the people of this Colony are being to a very large extent pauperized by preventable diseases, and that effective steps are necessary to bring this home to them and to show them how to protect them- selves and avoid these diseases. I would under these circumstances solicit the co-operation and assistance of the whole medical staff.
2. The training of the youth is an important part of the question, but it should have a wider scope and the instruction should be communicated also to adults by demonstration. It is with this object I have proposed to obtain a lantern and slides. If you are willing to assist by giving lectures, &c., I would appoint a Committee, consisting of your body, the Inspector of Schools, and the Agricul- tural Superintendent to consider the question in all its details and to embrace also agricultural instruction. I have sent to each medical officer a copy of Dr. Kohnke's lecture on mosquitoe destruction in New Orleans and would suggest that slides similar to those used by him could be obtained and would be useful.
¡January 19, 1908.
P. C.
to reach the populace would be through the school
(5) The "best way of all" would be to secure the co-operation of estate holders and school managers and induce them to put labourers' huts and schools in a more sanitary condition.
2. Obviously if (1) represents the true state of affairs it would be useless to incur the expense suggested in (3).
3. To reach the populace through the school teachers we must first instruct
the teachers and get them to instruct the pupils. To obtain the co-operation of estate holders and school managers we must convince them as we cannot insist (as we can in the case of masters and pupils) that they must learn.
and popular,
4. The object of illustrated lectures is to make the subject easy, and convincing, by appealing to the sight as well as the hearing. It will be neces- sary to impart instruction to the teachers and the children in this way, and it seems easy to throw the lectures open to estate holders, school managers, and all other persons who care to attend. The information will then filter down to the masses, and, doubtless, after a time one or more persons (teachers or others) will be found who will deliver lectures in patois.
5. But the subject is à technical one and a proper commencement cannot be made without the assistance of the medical officers. If we can make a good begin- ning I should hope for the co-operation of the managers of schools and estate holders.
P. C.
February 1, 1906.
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