CO885-(23-24) — Page 678

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLC.O. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

From St. Vincent Government :-

Additional field inspectors.

150

Thymol and salts in sufficient quantities. Rent of central office.

Expense of local accounting and audit.

Grant for St. Vincent, 1915: $5,625.20, with authority to spend entire suni during the remaining quarters of this year

if necessary.

Purchased and paid for from 1914 budget:-

27891

Three microscopes and accessories.

Two lanterns.

One centrifuge and accessories.

One typewriter.

One hookworm chart (not yet received).

One field tent.

Forty-five gross of containers.

Balopticon slides.

(No. 210.) SIR,

No. 112. TRINIDAD.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 17th June, 1915.)

[Answered by No. 117.]

Government House, 31st May, 1915. WITH reference to paragraph 2 of Mr. Harcourt's despatch Miscellaneous of 26th November last,* on the subject of sanitary accommodation and supervision in pursuance of Colonel Dodd's recommendations in connexion with ankylostomiasis, I have the honour to inform you that the Wardens were directed to report on the present state of household sanitary conditions in their districts, and to forward copies of minutes by the Acting Colonial Secretary and Surgeon-General, order of Executive Council 4th February, and summary of replies from the Wardens on the action taken by them. Action is also being taken on estates.

2. On the question of enforcing the penalties in the old Public Health Ordi- nance, I was of opinion that, as the new Public Health Ordinance was before the Legislature, it would be better to wait until it was in operation and its provisions known to the public generally, and in this the Attorney-General concurred with me. The Surgeon-General, however, disagrees, and wishes the compulsory powers of the old Ordinance enforced. He quotes the case of La Brea village, but that was one in which special measures were taken in consequence of the outbreak of yellow fever in that vicinity in 1913, when a special Medical Officer was sent there and a sanitary staff specially appointed and considerable extra expenses incurred. should not, therefore, be quoted as applicable to the Colony generally.

It

3. With regard to school latrines, the Board of Education on 28th August last appointed a special Committee, consisting of the Acting Inspector of Schools, Dr. Laurence, M.L.C., Dr. Prada, M.L.C., and Dr. Masson, and I enclose a copy of their report, which has been discussed by the Board; and it has been decided to amend Rule 4 of the Education Rules, and that the Wardens should be instructed to have the school latrines inspected as frequently as possible and report on their condition at least once a quarter, also that the provision of proper latrine accommodation should in future be embodied in specifications of all new school buildings submitted for the approval of the Board.

4. With these measures and the provisions of the new Public. Health Ordi- nance I have every reason to anticipate an entire change for the better in the house- hold sanitary conditions in the country.

I have, &c.,

GEORGE R. LE HUNTE,

Governor.

* 44104: not printed.

151

Enclosure 1 in No. 112.

MINUTE BY The Surgeon-General,

HONOURABLE COLONIAL SECRETARY, ACTING,

NOTED, and in reply to paragraph 2 of Secretary of State's despatch Miscel- laneous, 26th November, 1914, I beg to submit the following observations as requested.

2. As Sanitary Inspector of his district under the Public Health Ordinance No. 187, every Warden in the Colony has ample power to secure the provision of sanitary accommodation at every house or premises within the area he controls, and in connexion with the meanest and least valuable house this "suitable privy accom- modation" could be provided at the cost of only a few pence. Nearly three months ago I again directed the attention of the Government to this important provision of the law and made certain recommendations, but I am not favoured up to the present with any acknowledgment of my letter.

3. Regulations have been made under Ordinance 2 of 1913 providing for latrine accommodation on all plantations whereon immigrants are employed, which I advised should be done seven years ago; these regulations, however, do not become effective until the 1st April next, although some estates have anticipated them on Colonel Dodd's advice.

4. Years ago I advised the Government to require proper sanitary accommo- dation at all schools in the Colony. Recently I brought this matter to notice again through another channel, when disgraceful conditions were revealed, and I am glad to say that the Acting Inspector of Schools is alive to the importance of the subject and is now considering how to effect a reformation which clearly ought to have been made years ago.

5. Colonel Dodd's recommendation about European supervision applies more especially, he tells me, to estates with indentured immigrants, on some of which it can be applied with obvious good results if the estates authorities will co-operate, as many of them now seem disposed to do.

6 I am in complete accord with Colonel Dodd's recommendation about the necessity for universal latrine provision if the campaign here against ankylosto- miasis is to be conducted on rational lines and with any prospect of ultimate success. There is no use in expensive methods of treatment and education about the disease if pari passu with them there is permitted to continue as heretofore the broadcast pollution of soil with human excrement in close proximity to human habitations, which invites infection and reinfection.

7. I submit that the Government already has the power to take whatever steps are necessary in the direction of the provision of sanitary accommodation in pursuance of Colonel Dodd's recommendations, which are, in fact, repetitions of my own recommendations in the past.

8. I should be glad if His Excellency the Governor would include a copy of this minute with his despatch in reply to the Secretary of State on this subject.

H. L. CLARE, Surgeon-General. 15th January, 1915.

Enclosure 2 in No. 112.

MINUTE FROM ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.

HONOURABLE SURGEON-GENERAL,

WITH reference to paragraph 2 of your minute of the 15th January, 1915, I forward herewith Minute Paper 2874/1914, in order that you may see the action that has been taken. Please return for completion of action directed.

R. G. BUSHE,

22nd January, 1915.

Acting Colonial Secretary.

Enclosure 3 in No. 112. MINUTE FROM SURGEON-GENERAL.

HONOURABLE COLONIAL SECRETARY, ACTING,

I AM very glad to have the opportunity you have kindly afforded me now of knowing what has become of my minute dated three months ago