PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.885
19 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
136
treatment may be recovered, but if any considerable proportion of the cost of stamp- ing out ankylostomiasis is to be recovered, employers of labour will have to be made responsible for the hospital treatment of their labourers. If the task is to be under- taken as a charity it will strain the resources of the Government, and necessitate the neglect of other pressing needs, or be dependent on the fluctuations of revenue, becoming in that event a permanent charge on the revenue similar to that of treating yaws, which has never been properly coped with since it was first undertaken about 37 years ago.
As I understand the matter every focus of infection should be destroyed, and any failure to effect this means a failure to thoroughly deal with it, and the leaving of a loophole for recurring expenditure.
6. I have not been able to discover any precedent in England or elsewhere for making employers liable in such cases, and I therefore submit the matter for instructions.
His Excellency
Sir Ralph Williams, K.C.M.G.,
HIS HONOUR,
&c.,
&c., Grenada.
&c..
I have, &c.,
P. C. CORK,
Administrator.
MEDICAL BOARD to ADMINISTRATOR.
THERE are no reliable statistics available in this.Colony with reference to the prevalence and distribution of ankylostomiasis, except at the Victoria Hospital. At the out-stations and dispensaries there are no means of making an accurate diagnosis with regard to this disease, there being no microscopes.
(a) There are no sanitary measures in force in the Colony for dealing with the disease. Had there been an indentured immigrant working class on the estates it would have been not difficult to insist on proper sanitary measures being taken, but as it is at present, where every labourer can do as it pleases him in this respect, it is hard to know what to suggest, except as in (1) below.
(b) With regard to latrine accommodation on estates, we may say that this is practically nil. As far as Castries and the principal villages are concerned, there is a good bucket system, well supervised.
(c) Severe cases are usually sent to hospital, the risk of treating them at their own homes on account, in most cases, of their inattention to, and neglect of, medical instructions being too great to treat them at their own homes, especially in the absence of reliable nurses.
We would suggest that—
(1) For the treatment of ankylostomiasis in plantations an Ordinance be enacted compelling every employer of labour to have convenient latrine accommodation, and have this kept constantly in good sanitary order, and subject to inspection by a properly authorized officer. Persons suffering from, or suspected of suffering from. ankylostomiasis should be sent to the nearest hospital, or the case reported to the medical officer of the district.
(2) For the treatment of ankylostomiasis en masse. This is a very difficult question, and we think it would be quite impossible to carry it out here.
(3) General and special sanitary measures.-
(a) Every scholar in the Colony should be taught simple sanitary laws, and this not so much by precept as by example. Every school should be provided with a properly equipped latrine-no school should be allowed to be without one-and a lavatory should also be provided where children should be encouraged to frequently wash their hands, especi-- ally before eating.
(b) Persons who are found to be suffering from this disease should be encouraged to undergo treatment without delay, and it should be pointed out to them that by delaying treatment they are not only endangering their own health, but running the risk of infecting their own family and neighbours.
2 March, 1908.
2 March, 1908.
5 March 1905
DIGBY M. MACPHAIL
ALEX. KING. STANLEY BRANCH,
137
With regard to the question in general, it was suggested by the Board in a previous enclosure that Your Honour shall call a meeting of influential men for free discussion with the Medical Board or medical officers in the Colony.
HIS ПIONOUR,
MINUTES FROM MEDICAL OFFICERS.
Dr. MACPHAIL to ADMINISTRATOR.
ANKYLOSTOMIASIS is fairly common in the 1st Castries District, though I have not met many cases in Gros Islet. There is no special district that I can mention which is much more invaded by it than another.
D. M. M.
30 November, 1907.
IIIS IIONOUR,
Dr. KING to ADMINISTRATOR.
Is my district the sugar valleys of Cul de Sac and Roseau and the village of Anse-la-Raye are worst. The rioters in gaol now from these places have ankylosto- mes to a man. Victoria Hospital books will give the most reliable information on the subject.
4 December, 1907.
HIS HONOUR,
Dr. BRANCH to ADMINISTRATOR.
A. K.
I APPEND a return of cases of ankylostomiasis actually treated in the Victoria Hospital during the first quarter, 1907. During the first quarter 355 patients were treated in hospital, of whom 107 were known to be infected with hook worms. a few cases probably there were repeats.
The locality shows a pretty general infection throughout the island.
9 December, 1907.
STANLEY BRANCH.
In
RETURN of Localities of Cases of Ankylostomiasis treated at Victoria Hospital during
First Quarter, 1907.
Locality.
Castries (including La Clery, La Pensée, Bananes,
Cul de Sac Valley Marc
Mount Pleasant, Marchand Road, Water- works Road)
42
Ciceron
+
10
3
6
5
3
4
3
1
Morne Fortune Rosean Anse-la-Raye Soufrière Choiseul Vieux Fort Dennery Mabouya Trois Pitons Forestier Marquis Babonneau Paix Bouche Gros Islet Choc
Total
:
107
322
8
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.