Proposed lines of
research,
Proposed auxiliaries
to research
58
From the small progress which has been made during all these years it is safe to infer that little is to be gained by following the present lines of research further. These scant results are mainly due to a failure to appreciate the early symptoms of the disease, and to begin the research at the beginning.
I do not know the procedure followed by Tsuzuki, who isolated the organism, and from it reproduced the disease, but I have no doubt that some of his notes might be obtained from the Japanese Government, and would be of very great value.
In any case the
First step would be the isolation of the distinctive_micro-organism. (This has been done by Tsuzuki from the intestinal contents and from the urine.)
Second, to cultivate such organism upon a known favourable soil (polished rice) under conditions as closely resembling the natural conditions as can be attained " in vitro.”
Third, to cultivate such organism upon other nidus.
Fourth, to estimate the relative toxicity of the various cultures obtained. Fifth, to investigate by what means the toxicity of the various cultures may
be diminished or annulled.
Sixth, to consider the question of a protective or curative serum or vaccine.
It is doubtful if the toxin can be isolated any more than can that of diphtheria or of tetanus, but examination, chemical or microscopical, of all the body fluids and tissues, those of the alimentary tract especially, would form part of the research.
Meanwhile much may be done towards assisting in this research. The Principal Medical Officers of the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States should be asked to review the reports of their respective territories for the last 25'
years, collate the scattered observations, edit them and index them for reference.
They might also be instructed to issue to the officers in charge of Government or estate hospitals a circular in some such terms as this: "Beri-beri being an infectious disease, it is obvious that, in order to efficiently isolate sufferers from that disease, a knowledge of its very earliest signs and symptoms is essential
There is every reason to believe that much valuable information from the unpublished observations of medical officers is available, and I have to request that you will favour me with an account of any such observations which you may have made upon the disease especi- ally on its mode of transmission, period of incubation, prodromal symptoms, incipient invasion, and early course, in fact, on any stage of the disease prior to that of
gross nerve implication, &c, &c.”
It might also be well to convey a suggestion to all medical officers that if beri- beri exists, or is suspected to exist, in their hospitals, all eating and drinking utensils should be sterilised by boiling after every meal, and that spitting, except into special receptacles, should be rigorously put down within the precincts of hospitals and coolie lines. The sputum may then be destroyed.
28865
(No. 228.)
SIR,
143
59
No. 117. UGANDA.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 1 September, 1911.)
[See No. 142.]
Government House, Uganda, 3rd August, 1911. I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith, in accordance with the request con- tained in paragraph 3 of your circular despatch, dated 20th December, 1910,* a return of the statistics on the subject of the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases, so far as they are available.
30297
I have, &c.,
F. A. KNOWLES,
Acting Chief Secretary to the Government, (In the absence of the Governor).
Enclosure in No. 117.
[Published as No. 13 in Appendix 1. to [Cd. 6024], February, 1912.]
No. 118.
MAURITIUS.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 16 September, 1911.)
(No. 205.)
30374
Government House, Port Louis, 8th August, 1911. [Published as No. 3 in Appendix I. to [('d. 6024], February, 1912.]
No. 119.
SOUTHERN NIGERIA.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 18 September, 1911.)
(No. 505.)
Government House, Lagos, Southern Nigeria, 29th August, 1911. [Published as No. 12 in Appendix I, to [Cd. 6024], February, 1912.]
27337
No. 116.
CEYLON.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE
(Received 21 August, 1911.)
(No. 470.)
The Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon, 31st July, 1911. [Published as No. 5 in Appendix VI. 10 [Cd. 6024], Feltuary, 1912.]
30975
No. 120.
SOUTH AFRICA.
THE HIGH COMMISSIONER to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received September 23, 1911.)
(No. 589.) (Extract.)
High Commissioner's Office, Pretoria,
September 4th, 1911.
[Published as No. 11 in Appendix 1. to [Cil, 6024], February, 1912.]
No. 11 in Appendix I. to [Cd. 5511).
† No. 13 in Appendix 1. to [Cd. 6024].
H 2
23234
Į
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
PLC.O. 885
21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
32055
60
No. 121.
BRITISH GUIANA.
RETURN OF MALARIAL FEVER, BLACKWATER FEVER, YELLOW FEVER, FILARIASIS, AND DENGUE, DURING The Year froM THE 1ST JANUARY TO THE 31ST DECEMBER, 1910.
(Received 3 October, 1911.)
{Publishel as Nov, 16 in Appendix 1. to [Cd. 6024], February, 1912.]
32500
No. 122.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.