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of a quarantine station it is not a desirable one, e.g., for arresting the spread of cholera. As to the probability of an isolation station being an imperious demand in the near future the following arguments may be advanced :-That the measures to be taken by the port authorities of the yellow fever zone in Central America will reduce to a minimum the risk of the disease being conveyed on board a ship; that a second line of defence has to be broken through by such a ship at her subsequent ports of call; and that the length of the voyage and the latitudes traversed will further obviate the risk. The first and second of these statements may be correct in the great majority of instances, but they do not altogether exclude the possibilities in the case, for yellow fever may appear days or weeks after a ship has sailed, an occur- rence which is by no means unknown in the history of this disease; and, as to the third statement, it is known that the Stegomyia fasciata can survive the passage of latitudes outside the tropics. Many authorities, including Sir Patrick Manson, allege that yellow fever will undoubtedly spread to Asia after the opening of the Panama Canal, unless stringent preventive measures be adopted.

5. Although all needful caution must be exercised before recommending action to be taken which will involve a considerable outlay in establishing and maintaining a station properly equipped and with a sufficient staff, on the other hand it would he almost impossible to meet the call for such a place by the methods of emergency, while the lengthy warning as to the need for being ready for such an emergency, together with the importance of the results of a state of unpreparedness, causes me to advise that an efficient quarantine station is necessary.

"The slow sailing ship managed to carry yellow fever to Europe; well, then, may the fast-travelling steamer carry yellow fever to Asia. If stopping- stows are needed, there are Honolulu and the Philippines. This seems to me to be no idle speculation, but a big, ugly fact looming in the near future. It is difficult to imagine the extent of the calamity to Asiatic mankind that would follow the successful introduction of an infected stegomyia mosquito into such huge distributing centres as Hong Kong or Singapore

I believe that a scrupulously administered quarantine on the Panama Canal, a quarantine which need not be irksome to human beings, but which would be absolutely fatal to stegomyia, would effectually protect Asia against yellow fever." (Sir Patrick Manson.)

6. Whether the terms of the second paragraph will be translated into action is a matter for Government to decide, failing which the most authoritative opinion seems to be on the side of such steps as have been examined.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Hong Kong.

41153

SIR,

(No. 488.)

I have, &c.,

J. T. C. JOHNSON,

No. 122.

Principal Civil Medical Officer.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 29 November, 1913.)

Government House, Singapore,

4th November, 1913.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 259, of the 22nd August,* containing a report by Major S. P. James, IM.S., on the possi- bility of yellow fever being introduced into Eastern Asia.

2. In reply I have to inform you that provision has been made already in the Estimates for 1914 to allow of the employment of a Medical Officer for anti-malarial

* 27682; not printed.

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work in Singapore. This officer is additional to the regular health staff of the Settlement (one Settlement Health Officer, two Municipal ilealth Officers, two Port Health Oflicers, and one Quarantine Station Medical Officer) as well as to the officers engaged in anti-malarial work in the other Settlements and in the Federated Malay States.

3. The problem of malaria is one of mosquito-reduction and is allied so closely to that of yellow fever that the Colony may be said to have made provision for the Intelligence Officer "asked for by Major James. Provision, I may add, has been made in the Estimates for supernumerary Medical Officers to replace men on leave, and it is unlikely that the work of mosquito-reduction will suffer in future from any serious interruptions.

certain

4. For the last two years there has been an Anti-malarial Committee in Singapore. The Committee has concentrated its attention and its expenditure on a experimental area (which has always been known to be specially malarious) in the vicinity of Mount Faber and the Docks. During this year a substantial sum ($12,000) has been devoted to special drainage works in this area in addition to the annual amount ($10,000) at the Committee's disposal. The object of this work and of this expenditure is primarily to drive malaria out of this locality, but very great importance is also attached to the experience that it is giving in the matter of mosquito-destruction. It is hoped to apply the results of this experience to the work of mosquito-reduction in other portions of the Settlement.

5. The mosquito Stegomyia fasciata is very widely distributed in Singapore, and is found even in the quarantine station, which is believed by Major James to be free from its presence. The native custom of storing water in jars and open vessels is largely responsible for the continued existence of this domestic pest; and it must be remembered that the punishment (by new legislation) of ingrained native habits must result in very great hardship and, possibly, in serious abuses of the nature of bribery and blackmail. Education, also, is of little use where the population is largely a floating population fed by huge drafts of ignorant immigrants from China, 6. None the less very material progress is being made from year to year. Major James rightly draws attention to the importance of a high pressure water supply. Of 24,104 houses within municipal limits, no less than 10,380 already possess private water-supplies, and most of the remainder obtain their water from municipal stand-pipes. Open drains are to be replaced gradually by a new sewerage system, and it is hoped that this change will put an end to another class of breeding- places for mosquitoes.

7. It must be remembered, however, that it is not possible to extend domestic water supplies and sewerage schemes to country dwellings except at a cost which is absolutely prohibitive. The mosquito Stegomyia scutellaris (which may be a potential carrier of yellow fever) has been found to breed on bamboos, travellers' palms, pine-apples, bananas, and other plants which provide small receptacles for water. The prohibition of certain forms of cultivation-a serious matter-may prove to be necessary if this mosquito is to be extirpated. The question of mosquito- extirpation is one of great importance, but it is also beset with great difficulties; and the measures that are being taken at present may be summarized as consisting of the following:-

(a) The provision of a special Medical Officer detailed for the study of mos-

quito reduction;

(b) The improvement of the sanitary condition of the Settlement by the

improvement of its drainage and water-supply;

(c) The improvement of the quarantine station and the strengthening of its

Port Health Staff; and

(d) The institution and study of extensive experiments in mosquito-reduction, from the results of which experiments further lessons may be learnt, and experience of a most practical character may be acquired as to the possibility of rendering the Settlement comparatively mosquito-proof.

8. I trust that the measures that are being taken will commend themselves to your favourable consideration.

I have, &c.,

ARTHUR YOUNG.

A