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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O. 885

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

23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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Mr. Harcourt has appointed Mr. H. R. Cowell, of the Colonial Office, to be Secretary of the Committee.

I am to suggest that the names should be formally notified to the American Ambassador, for communication to the International Health Commission, with the information that it is hoped that a representative of the Egyptian Government will be added to the Committee shortly.

1833

SIR,

No. 8.

I am,

&c.,

HENRY LAMBERT, for the Under-Secretary of State.

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Downing Street, 24th January, 1914. WITH reference to your letter of the 15th January,* I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to transmit to you, for the information of Secretary Sir E. Grey, a copy of a lettert from Mr. Rose to the Secretary of the Ankylostomiasis Com- mittee, on the subject of the former's projected visit to Egypt.

Mr. Rose has been invited to visit London for the purpose of conferring with the Committee, and Mr. Harcourt will be glad to learn as soon as possible what steps the Egyptian Government propose to take in anticipation of Mr. Rose's visit to Egypt.

3686

(No. 17.)

SIR,

HENRY LAMBERT,

I am, &c.,

for the Under-Secretary of State.

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been taken in recent years to cope with this disease, which is extremely prevalent, more especially in the low country amongst estate coolies, the low-lying damp ground, with its humid atmosphere, lending itself to the propagation and spread of hook- worm. Quite 70 per cent. of imported labourers from India, if not actually suffer- ing from the disease, harbour the anchylostome, and are a danger to the resident community. Anchylostomiasis is spreading amongst the Sinhalese, especially in villages in the neighbourhood of estates where water both for drinking and wash- ing purposes is common to both.

Practical measures taken since 1910:-

1. In May, 1910, His Excellency the Governor appointed a Committee to go into the question of anchylostomiasis; this Committee numbered five, three mem- bers (including the Honourable the Principal Civil Medical Officer and Inspector- General of Hospitals) representing Government, and two the planting community. A large number of witnesses, both medical and planting, were examined and medical rules were drawn up for the treatment of (a) new arrivals, (b) residents of longer standing, and printed instructions were issued to superintendent as to the proper administration of beta-naphthol in both instances, also suggestions for prophylaxis and line sanitation.

2. Beta-naphthol is included in the list of drugs issued free to estates to the value of 50 cents per head per annum; when this sum is exceeded the drug is sold at cost price to estates.

3. A large quantity of thymol pastilles have been ordered from England for the treatment of the chronic cases in the hospitals and on the estates.

4. Subsequently, an Ordinance cited as the Prevention of Diseases among Im-

migrant Coolies Ordinance, No. 10 of 1912, was promulgated.

5. Leaflets on hookworms, in both English and the vernacular, have been freely distributed, not alone to the planting community, but to all the schools (copies for- warded).

6. Since the appointment of two European Itinerating Medical Officers in March, 1912, numbers of estates have been visited, the incidence of hookworm inquired into, and practical demonstrations given as to its diagnosis and treatment. 7. But the great need of this country is provision on the estates of proper latrines for the labour force, and until this can be done it will be very difficult to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary,

Colombo.

I am, &c.,

G. J. RUTHERFORD,

for A. PERRY, Principal Civil Medical Officer

and Inspector-General of Hospitals.

No. 9.

CEYLON.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 31st January, 1914.) [Answered by No. 29.]

King's Pavilion, Kandy, Ceylon,

14th January, 1914.

Miscellaneous I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, dated 15th October, 1913, with regard to the organization of the Inter- national Health Commission and the projected visit of Mr. Wickliffe Rose, the Director of the Commission.

2. As requested in paragraph 3 of your despatch, I forward a report (with leaflet) from the Principal Civil Medical Officer, in which he discusses the prevalence and distribution of anchylostomiasis in this Colony, and describes the measures which have been taken to cope with the disease. I also enclose the following other papers bearing on the subject:

*

Sessional Papers XV. and XXXI. of 1910;§ Ordinance No. 10 of 1912 and rules made thereunder; Circular No. 93 of 18th November, 1910.||

I have, &c.,

ROBERT CHALMERS,

Governor, &c.

Enclosure 1 in No. 9.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, CEYLON.

Anchylostomiasis—Proposed visit to Ceylon of Mr. Wickliffe Rose, Director, International Health Commission.

(No. 1891.)

SIR,

Colombo, 22nd December, 1913.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, No. 1292, of the 14th November, 1913, enclosing copy of despatch dated the 15th October, 1913, from the Secretary of State regarding the above subject; practical measures have No. 6 in Miscellaneous No. 297. § Report of Committee reprinted only.

Not reprinted.

No. 3.

† No. 4.

CEYLON.

HOOKWORM INFECTION AND HOOKWORM DISEASE. (Anchylostomiasis).

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A DISTINCTION must be made between hookworm infection and hookworm

disease disease. The "infection" means simply the presence of the worms; the means the later signs and symptoms which render the coolie unfit for work. The infection" exists in fully 90 per cent. of immigrant coolies; the "disease" is not so common, although much more common in Ceylon than in Indian coolies in some other Colonies, notably Natal.

Life history of the hookworm.

The adult worm lives in the small intestine of man; the female worm lays her eggs there, which are passed with the excrement. Under favourable conditions of temperature, air, and moisture, the egg develops into a “larva," and in about five days may be found in water or moist earth, where it may remain for a considerable time. It is in this stage that it infects man by gaining an entrance into his system through the hair openings in his skin. It wanders by a circuitous route through the body, until it eventually attaches itself to the lining of the small intestine. The period required before evidence of infection is apparent has been found to be from 50 to 71 days.