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6. Dr. Wenyon deals in his report entirely with questions concerning the protozoology of Uganda and the Soudan, and the blood parasites referred to by him are not found in Dominica.

7. There is reason to believe, however, that a few cases of sleeping sickness were observed in this island during slavery times, and I have sufficient material to write a report on the subject, which I propose to do later. During recent years no disease due to a trypanosoma has been recorded as occurring in Dominica.

8. The reports from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine refer chiefly to routine work, to museum collections, and to the journals and other publications issued by the institution, and they do not, therefore, call for any observation from

me.

9. But I may perhaps be allowed to point out the advisability of copies of these important publications being forwarded to Dominica for the information and use of the medical staff of the island. They might be filed at the Roseau Hospital, where they would be accessible to those medical officers who desire to refer to or to study

them.

10. The interesting paper of Dr. C. N. H. Healey, included in the report from the Colonial Laboratory at Hong Kong, indicates the immense field of work open to original investigation in tropical parasitic diseases. Such investigations cannot be carried on by Government medical officers, whose time is occupied by their profes- sional and official duties. Some years ago I was relieved of duty in Dominica in order that as Special Yaws Commissioner in the West Indies I could devote my whole time to the study of the various important questions then bearing on the prevalence of yaws in the Leeward and Windward Islands and in Trinidad and Tobago. I was then able to accomplish some original work in regard to the pathology of the disease, but since then I have not been able to find time for such scientific investigation.

11. If research laboratories were established in the several West Indian Colonies, and placed under the direction of properly qualified men sent out for the purpose, great advances would be made in the knowledge of tropical diseases, to the immense gain of the Governments and the people.

12. Such laboratories need not be of a costly nature, and doubtless the Tropical Schools of Medicine of London and Liverpool would be glad to arrange for the scientific direction of them in such a way as not to over-burden the finances of the Colonies concerned.

I have, &c.,

H. A. ALFORD NICHOLLS,

Senior Medical Officer.

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Enclosure 3 in No. 62.

(Virgin Islands. No. 237/717.)

Tortola, 2nd November, 1908. SIR,

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the letter of the Acting Colonial Secretary, No. 236 S.S. Circular/13/7/1908, forwarding reports from London, Liverpool, and Hong Kong, which were laid before the Advisory Committee of the Tropical Diseases Research Fund.

2. I have read the report with interest, and have no doubt that the researches will be of great value in the treatment, and still more in the prevention of many diseases prevalent in the tropics.

&c., ROBERT S. EARL,

Commissioner.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary, Leeward Islands.

I have,

Enclosure 4 in No. 62.

The ACTING CHIEF GOVERNMENT MEDICAL OFFICER to the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.

(213/08.) Report from the Tropical Schools at London and Liverpool and the Colonial Laboratory at Hong Kong.

With reference to your letter, No. 3860, of the 8th instant, I have the honour to state that these reports are of work of a highly technical character performed by specialists; they are interesting reading, and show what research is being done to investigate diseases of tropical climates. Most of the subjects treated are in a controversial stage. I have detached the reports, and, with your permission will forward them to the district medical officers for their perusal. They should then be filed at the hospital, with other reports of a similar nature, for reference purposes.

FRANK OLIPHANT.

17 October, 1908.

39855

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PEPEL C.O.885

19 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

(No. 517/837.) SIR,

Enclosure 2 in No. 62.

Commissioner's Office. Montserrat, 2 November, 1908. WITH reference to Your Excellency's despatches, No. 266, S.S. Circular/ 13/7/08, of the 11th August last, and No. 362/4129, of the 23rd ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that the only observations on the reports attached to the ' despatch from the Tropical Schools, which accompanied Your Excellency's former despatch, made by the medical officers of this Presidency, are to the effect that, in view of the rapid and valuable advances made in tropical medicine, it would be well if increased facilities were offered by Government, as regards leave and assisted passages, to medical officers to proceed to England more frequently than is now possible in order that they might keep in touch with the latest teaching on the subject.

2, In this I agree, provided the finances of the Colony were able to allow of some such assistance, but at the same time I am unaware of the medical officers, of this Presidency at any rate, having availed themselves of the opportunities afforded by the London and Liverpool Schools, when they have been on leave in England.

I have, &c.,

His Excellency the Governor,

Antigua.

W. B. DAVIDSON-HOUSTON, Lieutenant-Colonel,

Commissioner.

No. 63. QUEENSLAND.

COLONIAL OFFICE to THE BISHOP OF NORTH QUEENSLAND.

Downing Street, 2 December, 1908. RIGHT REVEREND SIR,

I AM directed by the Earl of Crewe to inform you that the Advisory Com- mittee for the Tropical Diseases Research Fund were apprised at their second Ordinary Meeting held on the 27th of November that you had received a donation of £1,000 from Mr. Darcy, towards the establishment of the Australian School of Tropical Medicine at Townsville.

2. Lord Crewe understands that sufficient funds have now been obtained for the inauguration of the institute, and he has accordingly approved a recommenda- tion of the Advisory Committee, that the sum of £400 should be paid to you forth- with as a contribution from the Research Fund.

3. The Crown Agents for the Colonies have been instructed to make the payment at your convenience.

4. I am to add that it gives Lord Crewe much pleasure that the establishment of a School of Tropical Research in Australia should be thus assisted, and that he has every wish for the success and prosperity of the School. His Lordship trusts that the School may find it possible from time to time to furnish reports on the work done, which may be included in the annual reports issued by the Tropical Diseases Research Fund Advisory Committee.

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I am, &c.,

C. P. LUCAS.

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