CO885-(18-19) — Page 580

62

possible to enlist the missionaries to assist in this work, and we should also require to win over to our ideas the leading chiefs in the locations concerned.

Any scheme of removal is not impossible, provided there is ample land to remove the people to.

Ways and Means-An important detail in connection with any such scheme We do not, however, consider that as the foregoing is that of ways and means. the expense would be very considerable when considered in proportion to the seriousness of the question at issue. The main items for consideration would be as follows:-

(1) Food for natives removed pending their reaping food from new shambas in their new locations, say, about Rs. 2 per mensem per individual. Estimated number to be dealt with now about 35,000, which means about 8,000 huts.

(2) The engagement of extra police during the period of migration.

(3) The enagagement of one or two additional medical officers temporarily.

(4) The temporary engagement of at least four additional Europeans to

assist in the scheme.

(5) Purchase of tents for doctors (vide 3) and European assistants (vide 4),

also transport and other expenses.

There would also be a certain amount of temporary decrease in the hut-tax receipts. This, however, would not be a serious item.

During 1907-08 there was an increase of Rs. 95.649 in the hut-tax collection in Kavirondo over and above the estimated collection. This excess collection has been due to more persistent and efficient collection. It might not be considered unreasonable if part of this excess was applied for, to be devoted to carrying into effect this possible relief to a sorely stricken people who cannot help themselves.

It is generally recognised that no half measures will meet the requirements of the case, and that anything done to be effective must be of a drastic nature.

JOHN AINSWORTH,

Kisumu,

Provincial Commissioner.

G3

children will walk for miles to one of the above-named rivers, and will spend the whole day wading in the water engaged in their favourite pursuit.

The disease was reported to exist at the mouth of the Kuja River by Dr. Christic

in 1902, and since then has gradually extended some 25 miles up the river, the chief, if not the only, factor in its spread being the fishing industry.

Although it does not necessarily follow that everyone with enlarged lymphatic glands is suffering from sleeping sickness, there is no doubt that the percentage infected with trypanosomes is very high, and the question arises, what can be done to, stay the disease?

Dr. Milne alludes to the establishment of a segregation camp, cutting down vegetation in the fly-infested areas, and removal of the people from the source of infection. These are, in the present state of our knowledge, the only measures that can be adopted either separately or combined.

I do not think that a segregation camp alone would do much good, because, unless situated well away from the fly-infested rivers and their branches, nothing will keep the people from their favourite pastime. They will readily enough go to a camp when ill, but as soon as improvement takes place, will return to their former homes and occupations.

Clearing, on account of its expense and the length of the river banks infested, appears to be out of the question. The crossings are all at shallow places, and are said to be at present fly-free. It might be necessary to clear at some of the crossings This I consider would be the to ensure this.

Removal of the population to a non-infected area.

most effective and satisfactory means of dealing with the disease, and should be combined with the establishment of a segregation camp for treatment, the camp to be situated near the district to which the people are to be removed. There appears to be ample land available of good quality and well-watered, but before any new district is decided on it must be thoroughly inspected with a view to being certain that it is fly-free.

I have, &c.,

J. WILL,

Principal Medical Officer.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PLLC.O.885

19 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

30 April, 1908.

22239

(No. 262.) MY LORD,

No. 13.

EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE,

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 20 June, 1908.)

Governor's Office, Mombasa, 29 May, 1908.

In continuation of my despatch, No. 252, of the 25th instant,* on the subject of sleeping sickness on the castern shore of the Victoria Nyanza, I have the honour to submit Dr. Milne's report on his tour in Southern Kavirondo, with sketch map, and the letter of the Principal Medical Officer giving cover thereto.

Enclosure in No. 13.

I have, &c.,

J. HAYES SADLER

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to forward, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, a report by Dr. A. D. Milne on sleeping sickness in South Kavirondo.

The disease exists along the whole of the lake shore almost from Kisumu to and beyond the Anglo-German boundary, and extends for a variable distance along the river banks. The worst affected areas appear to be in the vicinity of the Magori, Kuja, Angotchi, and Myunyo Rivers.

Principal Medical Officer's Office, Nairobi, 6 March, 1908.

The banks of these rivers harbour innumerable tsetse fly, but, with very few exceptions, the inhabitants have their villages well outside the fly areas.

The whole of the population living in the area shown in the map the limits of which are shaded brownt are greatly addicted to fishing, and men, women, and

• No. 12.

↑ Reproduced here in red.

SIR,

Nairobi, February, 1908. I HAVE the honour to submit the following report on my tour through the Ugaya (Karungu) District of the Kavirondo Province to investigate sleeping

sickness.

I arrived at Karungu on February 3rd, and found that the District Com- missioner, Mr. R. W. Hemsted, was away on duty at Kisii; I was therefore unable to glean much preliminary knowledge concerning the district. However, I am indebted to the Station Clerk, Mr. J. de Souza, for organising my safari, and for a certain amount of information of the country to be traversed,

February 4th, at Karungu. The prisoners in gaol, 20 in number, were examined for signs of sleeping sickness; two were found with enlarged cervical glands. Eleven police gave negative results. Five natives, living in villages round about, were brought up in marked stages of sleeping sickness, all with enlarged cervical glands. A sixth case, unable to walk, was visited at his village, and found to be

in an apathetic state, mentally affected, also with enlarged glands.

Of these, February 5th and 6th. Owunda's Village (6 miles). As only three people were brought up, a second day was spent here, when 10 more were seen. eight were obvious cases with enlarged glands; three had been treated by injections between the shoulder blades, at Sherati, and announced themselves cured, one woman had still easily demonstrable glands in the neck, the other two had no enlargement, and in the remaining two, no increase in the glands could be made out. February 7th. Crossed the Kuja River and camped at Marera's Village (6 miles). Nineteen people were brought up for sleeping sickness. All were marked cases, four of them practically moribund. In two cases the glands could not be demonstrated.

February 8th. Camped at the foot of Kibabo Hill amongst three or four villages belonging to Owunda (9 miles). This spot was reported as being badly infected. I examined here 79 individuals-nearly all the population-many of them showing unmistakeable signs of sleeping sickness, and found 62 with cervical glandular enlargement.