CO885-(23-24) — Page 413

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

.....................C.O. 885

23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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(b) In 1906 Captains Grattan and Cochrane, R.A.M.C., reported four (natives of the Protectorate) in the West African Regiment.

cases

(c) Captain Morris, R.A.M.C., in an article in the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, September, 1907, reported two cases at the Kissy Lunatic Asylum and Home for Incurables. Several cases amongst the out-patients of the Colonial Hospital. Thirteen cases in the Protectorate.

This officer also reported the finding of Glossina palpalis at the following places:-

Kukune,

Fatamalia,

Bassia River,

Mabanta,

Batkanu,

Mangi,

Port Lokko, Mabele,

Robassi,

Yonuibana,

Ronietta,

Moyamba,

Tarama, Niabalalum, Tabe,

and he formed the following conclusion:-" Prevalence and distribution of the disease in the Colony. In attempting to discover this, I had to be guided by the following known data: (1) It is now an established fact that cases do occur in the Colony and Protectorate of Sierra Leone; (2) We know that in Freetown a certain number of cases are imported from down the coast, the Congo, and elsewhere; (3) We also know that cases occur in natives who have never left the Protectorate; (4) We do not know, however, how prevalent the disease is, because the natives, being too timorous and prejudiced, adopt the attitude of hiding their sick relatives away.'

4. I have discussed this subject with the Senior Medical Officer and some of the other Medical Officers now in Freetown, and Dr. Arbuckle has sent in a report. which is attached to this case, shewing that there is reason to believe that the disease is prevalent on the Banana Islands and in the town of Tombo, on the main- land adjacent to them. Probably the name “ mumps" used by Dr. Arbuckle is the same as the "bumps" alluded to in Captain Grattan's report.

5. I propose when Dr. Bower arrives on the 14th instant to instruct him to relieve Dr. Arbuckle temporarily whilst the latter officer proceeds to Banana Islands and Tombo to investigate this disease. It is my intention also to send a circular to the Medical Officers in the Colony and Protectorate, asking for informa - tion as to the prevalence of sleeping sickness in their districts, the distribution of Glossina palpalis, the existence or otherwise of a "fly-free" belt within the Colony

or Protectorate.

*Medical and 6. In an interesting report written by Dr. G. E. H. Le Fanu on Sanitary Administration in the Protectorate of Togoland, pages 19-23 " (M.P.S.S.207/12), valuable information is given as to the incidence of the disease in that Protectorate and the measures taken to combat it, which include compulsory notification and segregation in a camp specially constructed in a fly-free area.

7. Since the year 1909 I have advocated the adoption of similar measures on the Gold Coast, but up to the time of leaving the Colony I had been unable to convince either the local Administration or the Secretary of State as to their neces- sity or expediency.

8. The situation created by the passing of the Order in Council is not without difficulty.

We know that Glossina palpalis is widely distributed in the Colony and Protec- torate, and I shall be greatly surprised if the increased attention now aroused as to the prevalence of sleeping sickness does not lead to the notification of a number of cases. If this should be so, what is to be done with them?

One man is already under detention in a mosquito cage in the Colonial Hospital, but it cannot be seriously contemplated to retain him there until he succumbs to the disease, as in all probability he will, and even if it be found possible to so treat this case our accommodation of this nature is very limited.

If a number of other cases are brought to light and an attempt is made to per- manently confine each of them in a mosquito cage, a state of panic will in all proba- bility he created which will inevitably lead to increased concealment of infected persons and effectually defeat our attempts both at investigation and prophylaxis.

9. It is obvious that we require further knowledge as to the incidence of the disease, and if the result of Dr. Arbuckle's investigations and the circulars to Medi- cal Officers should indicate that it is prevalent. a member of the West African Medical Staff of this Colony should be seconded for this special duty and the strength of the staff temporarily augmented.

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10. In the meantime I would respectfully ask that the situation created by It is with the passing of the recent Order in Council be carefully reconsidered. the utmost diffidence that I venture to criticize measures adopted before my arrival in the Colony and intended to deal vigorously and promptly with a dangerous infec- tious disease.

If it be found that the disease is widespread I shall urge the estab lishment of a segregation camp in a fly-free area, and the compulsory notification and segregation of infected persons within it, but I should be failing in my duty did I not point out the danger of enforcing this order until suitable provision for the accommodation of these unfortunate people has been established.

T. E. R.,

7th September, 1913.

Enclosure 3 in No. 8.

Principal Medical Officer.

REPORT ON TSETSE FLY SURVEY OF ABERDEen and Cape Peninsula, SIERRA LEONE. March 4th to 13th, 1914.

Type of Country.-Aberdeen and Cape Peninsula is a piece of land joining the mainland at Lumley by a very long and narrow portion. The area is roughly three- quarters of a square mile, while its coast line (including Aberdeen Creek) is almost nine miles in length. Its long axis lies north-north-west.

The lighthouse is situated at the north-north-west extremity, while south from it and separated by a strip of bush of some 300 yards are the different blocks of the Cape sanitary quarantine station (Maps 1 and 2).

This area of land may be described as a smaller peninsula joining the main peninsula by an isthmus, having Man-of-War Bay to the north and Lumley Bay to the south.

This main peninsula is somewhat rhomboidal in shape. Occupying the north angle is a small hill, 206 feet high, well covered by thick bush, except on part of the north-west side, where it is farmed.

A village of some 500 odd inhabitants, called Aberdeen, lies in the east corner. Towards the south, forest is plentiful to within 20 yards of the Lumley shore, and joining on the creek side with the mangroves.

The western angle helps to form part of the neck of land joining the main area to the lighthouse and Cape sanitary portion.

The smaller peninsula is well wooded, except for one-third occupied by the Cape Sanitary Station, and through the middle of this bush (see Map 1) runs the Now the path bends from main path connecting the lighthouse with Aberdeen.

south to eastwards and passes through open country (the isthmus) with a few scattered palms and practically no scrub.

With a few slight bends either to north or south it continues eastwards, turning at last almost at right angles and to the south into Aberdeen village. Practically all along this road there is bush on each side and at some points it is particularly shaded by overhanging and closely growing palms and the like, with thick scrub beneath. On the east of the whole Aberdeen is well surrounded by shady trees and scrub. peninsula is Aberdeen creek. This is a large enclosure of water over a bed of sandy soil practically dry at low tide, while covered to a depth of several feet at high tide. Iluge mangrove areas exist on each side and at high water all are partially sub- merged. The creek opens northwards into Cockle Bay and roughly separating this hay from the creek are two stone piers, one at Aberdeen and one on the opposite side, between which the ferry boat plies. Between the north and east angles of the rhomboid a bay is found. This has a sandy beach and is used by the natives of Aberdeen as a wharf for their fishing boats. The long narrow neck of land has palms and other trees scattered here and there, and is bordered on the west by Very rarely Lumley Bay and on the east by the mangroves in Aberdeen Creek, was a banana tree seen.

Nomenclature. On this peninsula the tsetse fly is not known by that name. The natives recognize it by two names-mangrove fly, because of its association with the mangrove swamps; and hog fly, because, according to some, the fly shows a special liking for the native pig..

Methods employed. It is well known that tsetse fly, as other muscide. are greatly attracted by a dark colour. This peculiarity was intended to be made use of as first suggested by Maldonado. Unfortunately no birdlime was procurable, and An effort was then so other adhesive substances were tried but proved useless.