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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :-

C.O.8

.885

18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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incapacitated by this fever, for an average of 120 days each. The amount of loss to the State this sickness entails is impossible to estimate.

3. The Committee does not consider it part of its duty to draw up a detailed. scheme for the carrying out of the necessary measures, as that must be done by the local health authorities, who understand the customs of the country and the temper of the people, but the following principles may be laid down :--

(a) The primary and most essential measure to be taken is the elimination of the infected goats from the Maltese herds. The Committee is of opinion that this can only be done by some scheme involving the slaughter of the affected animals, and compensation to the owners. (b) The use of fresh goats' or cows' milk should be prohibited for the present in His Majesty's ships, barracks, hospitals, government institu- tions, &c., and its place taken by preserved or condensed milk, as it has been shown that sterilization by boiling is not thoroughly enough carried out to be trustworthy.

(c) The danger of drinking fresh unboiled milk and its products under present conditions should be inculcated by the Church, the schools, by medical men, and the press. Efficient boiling renders the milk harmless, and may be recommended to private individuals if preserved milk is not available.

(d) The herds of goats practically living in the streets of Valetta and other towns lead to insanitary conditions, and the custom ought to be discontinued.

(e) The establishment of a large dairy or depot for the supply of Valetta and its suburbs, under Government control, should be tried as a tentative measure, as it is evident that some such organization will be required to take the place of the present primitive methods.

4. In conclusion, the Committee would draw the attention of the Colonial Office to the recommendations as to preventive measures against Mediterranean fever drawn up by members of the Commission, and printed at the end of Parts VI. and VII. These contain valuable matter both as to questions of principle and detail.

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No. 117.

THE ROYAL SOCIETY to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received June 8, 1907.)

[See No. 123.]

SIR,

Burlington House, London, W., June 7, 1907. THE enquiry into the Mediterranean fever which has been in progress for several years under the direction of the Royal Society having now been brought to a successful termination, the Society desires to express its high appreciation of the value of the services of Dr. T. Zammit, of the Board of Health, Malta. Being resident in the midst of the disease, he has been able to conduct various enquiries and to be in many ways of the greatest assistance in the conduct of the investigation. The Royal Society hopes that its high opinion of his services may be commu- nicated to the authorities at Malta.

I am, &c.,

17556

SIR,

No. 118.

ARCII. GEIKIE,

Secretary, Royal Society.

COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE and ADMIRALTY.

[Answered by Nos. 120 and 121.]

Downing Street, June 14, 1907. WITH reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by the Earl of

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of the Army Council,

Elgin to transmit to you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the:

Admiralty, copy of a letter* from the Royal Society forwarding copics of the sixth and seventh parts of the report of the Commission appointed to investigate the question of Mediterranean fever in Malta.

2. Lord Elgin proposes to express to the Royal Society the appreciation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the Army Council, and of the Colonial Government of the skill with which this difficult piece of work has been carried out under the direction of the Royal Society, and the satisfaction felt at the result of the investigations.

3. The Government of Malta is being consulted as to the preventive measures necessary, and a further letter will be addressed to you in due course.

4. I am to take this opportunity of expressing Lord Elgin's appreciation of the services rendered by the military members of the Commission, [To War Office only]

naval

and especially of those rendered by Colonel Bruce, the Chairman of the Royal Society's Committee, who by his energy and ability contributed largely to the success of the investigation.

I am,

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SIR,

No. 119.

&c.,

H. BERTRAM COX.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE ACTING GOVERNOR. [Answered by No. 122.] (No. 81.)

Downing Street, June 18, 1907. WITH reference to previous correspondence, I have the honour to transmit to you, for your consideration, copy of a letter from the Royal Society forwarding copies of the sixth and seventh parts of the report of the Commission appointed to investigate Mediterranean fever, together with copies of letters‡ addressed by

direction to the War Office and Admiralty.

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2. There seems little probability of any complete disappearance of the disease from among the civil population of the island until the infected goats, over 2,000 in number, referred to in the memorandum enclosed in the letter* from the Royal Society are eliminated and steps taken to prevent the uninfected goats from becoming infected.

3. This appears to me to be mainly a veterinary problem and it will, therefore, be necessary that a sound scheme of reform should be drawn up and that two or three efficient veterinary officers should, if necessary, be sent out from this country to put it in force. The Colonial Veterinary Committee, which has been recently formed would, if desired, be prepared to superintend the work and render all pos- sible assistance in the matter.

4. It is probable that arrangements could be made for Colonel Bruce and Mr. Stockman, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Board of Agriculture, to visit. Malta and to draw up a scheme of operations in consultation with the local authori- ties. The cost involved would be small, as these officers would only require passages and travelling expenses and could probably complete the work within a short period.

5. Veterinary officers can be obtained in this country for about £400 a year, and their services would probably be required for not longer than two years. Moreover, the War Office and Admiralty might well be asked to contribute to the

cost.

6. I shall be glad to receive your observations on these proposals at your early convenience.

7. I take this opportunity of enclosing a copy of a further letters which has

* No. 116.

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Not reprinted.

‡ No. 118.

§ No. 117.

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