145
Since then, i.e., October, 1902, up to the end of last month, the following number of inoculations have been performed at home:-
(No. 430.). SIR,
No. 118.
GOVERNOR SIR C. BRUCE to MR. LYTTELTON.
(Received November 27, 1903.)
Government House, Mauritius, October 30, 1903. WITH reference to my telegraphic despatch of the 20th instant,* urging, in connection with the present recrudescence of plague, the immediate commencement of the drainage works included in the scheme submitted by my despatch, No. 354, of the 12th September last,t I have the honour to explain that the town of Port Louis is built over a system of old, disused drains, in which rats find an asylum, from which it is practically impossible to dislodge them.
2. Annexed to my Minute to the Council, dated 7th July, which formed an enclosure to my despatch of the 12th ultimo, is a report by the Acting Director of the Medical and Health Department, on the general advantages resulting from the application of the drainage system to Section 3 of the town, and more especially to the closing of the old, disused drains, the result being less rats and less plague. I enclose a copy of a further report from Dr. Lorans on the subject, in which he refers to the difficulty of disinfecting the existing old drains, and advocating the extension of the drainage system to the central part of Port Louis, as this measure would permit of a number of these old drains being done away with.
3. As plague is on the increase in Port Louis, it became necessary to proceed with the work without delay, hence my telegram to you of the 20th instant.*
I have, &c.,
Enclosure in No. 118.
CHAS. BRUCE,
Governor.
ACTING DIRECTOR, Medical and Health Department, to COLONIAL SECRETARY.
(No. C/1523.)
April 23, 1903.
I enclose a report from the Plague Authority on the points referred to by you in your Minute of 23rd February, 1903.
The Department, you will observe, has done, and is doing, its best to try and carry out the measures recommended by you, and which have the approval of His Excellency the Governor.
With reference to the disinfection of drains, Dr. Momplé and Dr. Barbeau have frequently mentioned the difficulty which exists in dealing with them owing to their faulty construction and very defective present condition. I have myself had occasion to allude to this obstacle in the execution of the measures adopted to combat the spread of plague in town.
The question appears to me a very important one, and the reconstruction of these drains on approved principles is an essential preliminary to satisfactory and effective disinfection. I cannot leave this subject without calling attention to the remarks contained in my report, No. 1069, in M.P. 1296, and to advocate the extension of the drainage system to the central part of Port Louis, as this measure would be an invaluable boon for the inhabitants of that area of Port Louis, and would also permit of a number of these old drains being done away with.
ACTING DIRECTOR,
H. LORANS,
Acting Director.
As soon as you informed me of your promise given in Council about inocula- tions to be performed at home, I warned all the medical officers in charge of plague work accordingly.
• No. 109.
† No. 107.
Port Louis
Vacoas Curepipe
Total
36 11
15
62
The above number does not include inoculations in camps, performed as follows:-
Engrais Mauricien-Port Louis Ebène Plaines Wilhems Trianon Estate-Plaines Wilhems
92
18
51
Total
161
which were
Since the beginning of last year until the end of last month the following inoculations were performed at the Medical and Health Office at Bois Savon and Lower Plaines Wilhems Lazarets :-
Medical and Health Office Bois Savon Lazaret
Plaines Wilhems Lazaret
Total
33 11
58
102
The inoculations at home in Port Louis were chiefly performed in Poudrière, Touraine, Desforges and Malabars Streets, in premises where dead rats had been found, or in or near which plague cases had been discovered.
It can be seen from the above figures that inoculation with Yersin's serum was not resorted to to the extent it should have been, and it is to be regretted that even persons who had been in actual contact with cases of plague have not allowed them- selves to be better persuaded, although urged by actual medical advice. This is shown by the figures for Segregation Camps, wherein the total admissions amounted to 1,195, of which only 5.7 per cent. were inoculated.
The suggestion of the Honourable the Colonial Secretary about the yersinisa- tion of contacts and of persons living sufficiently near to be considered as contacts will receive due attention, and the best will be tried to carry it into effect. I may here mention that the employés of the Department have long since received orders to recommend inoculation to those inhabiting premises in which they are called to perform disinfection on account of the discovery of dead rats, on or in connection with cases of plague.
Destruction of rats.-This is actually carried out in Port Louis by a gang of men, under the direction of a trustworthy man. traps and pieces of poisoned food in parts of the city where rats are reported to In the afternoon they deposit rat- abound, or on private premises, when so requested by the occupiers, and call back the next morning for any rats caught or found dead; only a certain number of the poisoned rodents are thus picked up, and the live ones are killed and then burnt.
In this way 8,374 rats have been destroyed in Port Louis from the beginning of last year to the end of last month.
At Quatre Bornes, Rose Hill and Beau Bassin, rat poison is also laid out at regular intervals, as you are aware.
Besides the above, the fee of R. 0.10 per rat taken to police stations, as approved of in B/3842, of October, 1901, is still being allowed.
Destruction of rats in Port Louis has also been tried experimentally by the flooding of certain drains and the use of "Virus Danystz," but without success.
Disinfection of the underground drains in Port Louis has been attempted by flushing with disinfecting solution, but little progress has been made in that direction owing to the difficulties encountered, which are of three kinds :-
1. The flooding of cellars connected with the street drains by branch drains; 2. The bad condition of the drains, which are dilapidated for the most part,
allowing the escape of disinfectants sent into them;
3. The expense to be incurred by the use of large quantities of disinfectants.
19234
T
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
PLC.O. 882
8 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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