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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :-

MCO 885

23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

1833

SIR,

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No. 3.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received 16th January, 1914.)

[Answered by Nos. 7 and 8.]

Foreign Office, 15th January, 1914. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to inform you that he is forwarding to His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General in Egypt copies of your letters, 38902/1913 and 43728/1913, of the 1st* and 9th instant,† relative to the campaign against ankylostomiasis.

With regard to Mr. Rose's proposed visit to Egypt, Sir E. Grey considers that the best course will be for him to enter into communication with the member of the Committee to be nominated by the Egyptian Government, who will be more likely to be able to afford Mr. Rose useful information and advice than anyone directly connected with the Foreign Office.

Attached to 1833

No. 4.

I am, &c.,

A. LAW.

MR. WICKLIFFE ROSE (INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION) to MR. H. R. COWELL (COLONIAL OFFICE.) (Received 16th January, 1914.)

DEAR MR. COWELL,

The Rockefeller Foundation, International Health Commission,

725, Southern Building, Washington, D.C.,

9th January, 1914. WITHOUT Waiting for reply to my letter of December 16th, I wish to say that it seems quite evident at present that I shall be able to sail in February for Egypt, Ceylon, and the Malay States if your Office thinks it advisable for me to go at that time.

It occurs to me also that if the Secretary of State for the Colonies has appointed the Advisory Committee, perhaps it would be advisable for me to go by way of London for a conference with this Committee. I should like very much to have the benefit of the counsel of the Committee in every step taken. I want to be sure that these first steps are in the right direction.

In the meantime, if it does seem advisable for me to go at this time and to make the way for my first stop in Egypt, I hope that some way may be found to prepare me in that country.

Hoping to have your advice on these matters,

Mr. H. R. Cowell,

Colonial Office,

London, England.

No. 5.

I am,

Very truly yours,

WICKLIFFE ROSE.

THE MEETING OF THE MEDICAL MINUTES OF

SELECTION COMMITTEE, HELD AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE ON 20TH OF JANUARY, 1914.

(Extract.)

THE Committee next proceeded to consider the memorandums which had been submitted to them with regard to the question of the engagement of doctors for ankylostomiasis duty in the West Indies, and elsewhere.

Taking in order the various questions on which the Selection Committee were invited. to advise :

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(a) The supply of medical candidates for Colonial employment is at the present moment extremely restricted, but the Committee recognize that the proposed appoint- ments are temporary and for a special purpose, and that they might, therefore, prove an attraction to a class of candidate who is not usually attracted by the Colonial medical service. The Committee think it possible, judging from a recent experience of a somewhat similar kind with regard to East Africa, that if the appointments were advertised in the recognized medical journals a considerable number of answers might be received. The remuneration for medical services of this character has risen considerably in the last year or two, and the Committee would suggest for Medical Officers a salary of from £500 to £600 per annum with quarters; if it is impracticable to provide quarters they would certainly recommend £600 per annum. For the Assistant Medical Officers they would suggest £350 or £400 per annum according as the salary of the higher officers is fixed at £500 or £600.

(b) The Committee think that the course of instruction in helminthology at the Tropical Schools would be sufficient.

(c) As to microscopists the answer must depend on the meaning attached to the term. If medical men with special experience in microscopy are required the emolu- ments should at least be as high as those of the Medical Officers already referred to. If, on the other hand, trained laboratory assistants are required, probably sergeants of the Royal Army Medical Corps would prove the most suitable officers for the purpose, and a salary of about £200 to £250 per annum should be sufficient.

(d) The Selection Committee feel that they would be competent to advise as to the selection of the officers required, but if it is desired to add to their number a member possessing special knowledge of the investigation and treatment of anky- lostomiasis, they would suggest the names of Dr. Haldane or Professor Boycott.

29th January, 1914.

Annexure 1 to No. 5.

JAMES K. FOWLER. JOHN ROSE BRADFORD. ALEX. FIDDIAN.

HARRY F. BATTERBEE.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE MEDICAL SELECTION COMMITTEE.

THE Secretary of State is anxious to co-operate with the International Health Commission, a body founded by the Rockefeller Foundation for the eradication of ankylostomiasis throughout the world.

The Commission propose to begin their operations in the British Empire, and in pursuance of this object the Director of the Commission has visited this country and conferred with the Colonial Office. He has subsequently made a personal exami- nation of the conditions in certain West Indian Colonies, and proposes shortly to extend his investigations to Egypt and the East.

As a result of his visit to the West Indies he has submitted tentative proposals for a campaign against ankylostomiasis in each island at the expense of the Com- mission. Briefly, it is contemplated that the local Government shall draw up a scheme for the employment of one or more medical officers for temporary duty, to employ their whole time in the investigation and treatment of the disease. They would be assisted by microscopists, and would act under the general direction of the local Medical Department, who would. of course, work in harmony with the policy laid down by the Commission. The total cost of their engagement, payment, and expenses would be refunded to the local Treasury by the Commission.

The questions on which the Selection Committee are invited to advise are: (a) Whether it would be possible to obtain suitable medical men for this duty, and at what salaries and allowances. (It may be assumed that possibly eight or ten doctors would be required, in the first instance. for the West Indies, in two grades, Medical Officers and Assistant Medical Officers);

(b) Whether such men would require any special preliminary training beyond that given in the ordinary course at the London or Liverpool Schools of Tropical Medicine;

(c) Similarly as to microscopists;

(d) Whether it is desirable to add to the Selection Committee, for the purpose of the selection of such officers, anybody possessing special knowledge of the investi- gation and treatment of ankylostomiasis on a large scale.

* Not printed.

+ No. 2.

1 No. 12 in Miscellaneous No. 297.

See Annexure 1.

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