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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

885/25

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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9. I enclose two cuttings* from The Times, one of which summarizes in a con- venient form the paper read by Dr. Marshall, and the second of which is a leaderette that emphasizes the importance of the alleged discovery.

10. Colonel Prout informed the meeting that he would take immediate steps to bring this important matter to the notice of the Department; and in view of the dangers from infection by trypanosome to which, it is to be anticipated, both the Europeans and the Africans employed on the construction of the Eastern Railway extension and of the Benue Bridge are likely ere long to be exposed, I suggest that special instruction be given, if possible by Dr. Marshall himself, to members of the West African Medical Staff at present in England on leave from Nigeria, so as to insure that our expert knowledge and equipment are ready and are thoroughly com- plete and efficient ere ever the emergency arises.

I am, &c.,

Enclosure 1 in No. 138.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR. SLR,

HUGH CLIFFORD,

Governor of Nigeria.

As requested by you at the meeting of the Glossina Sub-Committee on 28th April, I have the honour to forward the estimated cost of teetse investigation in Nigeria:-

1. £2,576 for the current year, assuming that work is commenced by one investigator in June, and by an entomologist in September.

£5,346 as yearly estimate, which would be increased if extensive experimental work (bush clearing, etc.) be carried out, or if another investigator or pathologist were seconded for relief or for special work.

2. The estimate has been made by myself in consultation with the Glossina Sub-Committee, in accordance with that given by Dr. T. E. Rice, Director of Medical and Sanitary Services, except that the employment of an entomologist at £1,000-£50- £1,200 is recommended in place of one of the local investigators.

3. As the work of the current year would be mainly survey work, it has been estimated that allowances to other officials, forestry officers, etc., will not be required.

4. I have been unable to consult Dr. Rice upon the subject, and should be grateful if Your Excellency would refer this memorandum to him, as the scheme now proposed differs from that suggested by him in the employment of an entomologist in place of one local investigator. Dr. Rice may therefore wish to alter his decision as to whom he should recommend to be seconded for the work.

5. The proposed scheme of work for investigation is attached. It is suggested that the local investigator commences survey work in June of this year, and that the entomologist joins him in September.

29th April, 1921.

TSETSE COMMISSION.

I have, &c.,

W. B. JOHNSON,

Medical Officer.

1. Proposed lines of work. Survey trip through north-east and east of Northern Provinces where the tsetse distribution has not been worked out at all fully. This to include forest reserves and isolated portions of thick bush in the hope of finding suitable areas for experimental work, viz. :——

Zampara forest reserve (Katsina-Zaria and Ruma bush). Ningi bush in Bauchi Province.

Bush between River Gongola and Yola.

2. Experimental work upon G. submorsitans.-Probably in Yola Province, in the Maio-Loko Valley, where a tsetse belt divides the northern part of the province into two parts, across which cattle cannot cross. Special attention to be paid to dry season foci, and effect of clearing or trapping in such areas. Compare effect of late grass burning as compared with early burning, such as practised in forest reserves.

* Not printed.

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3. Experimental work upon G. tachinoides.-Most important, as this tsetse is especially widespread in Nigeria. (I have recently visited a district east of Zaria where scattered cases of human trypanosomiasis are occurring in a purely G. tachinoides arca.) The River Benue suggests itself as a locality for this work, as G. tachinoides is very plentiful, and transport is easy; probably Muri Province would be chosen, as Drs. Pollard, Thomson, and myself have done a considerable amount of work there upon tsetse distribution.

Experimental work upon following lines :-

(1) Movement of flies as shown by relative density, and by movement of

marked flies.

(2) Breeding grounds, and experiments with artificial breeding grounds.

(3) Natural enemies and, if possible, introduction of natural parasites from

other parts of Africa.

(4) Normal hosts for G. tachinoides (at present unknown).

(5) Effect of catching by Principe methods-might possibly be successful

owing to habits of G. tachinoides in dry season.

(6) Clearing experiments especially as regards the amount of clearing neces-

sary, and the movement of flies after clearing. This work could be done in co-operation with the Forestry Department, and experiments as to the best crops to be grown to limit the amount of clearing necessary to be done in association with the Agricultural Department.

4. Pathological work.-Type of blood ingested in the tsetse caught. Blood examination for trypanosomes of wild animals, and of domestic stock, and natives, with special attention to trypanosomes of human type found in wild game. Experimental work upon immunity of wild game, of so-called immune" cattle, and of human beings, to trypanosomes infection. Effect upon trypanosome gam- biense of passage through G. tachinoides.

ESTIMATED COST FOR CURRENT YEAR, ASSUMING ONE INVESTIgator (Medical OFFICER) COMMENCES WORK JUNE, 1921, AFTER ARRIVAL IN NIGERIA, AND ONE INVESTIGATOR (ENTOMOLOGIST) LEAVES ENGLAND BEGINNING SEPTEMBER, 1921.

Salaries.—1 investigator (Medical Officer), at £960 per annum, for

seven months 1 investigator (Entomologist), at £1,000 per annum, for

five months Allowances.—-1 investigator (Medical Officer),at £2 per day, for seven

months

Passages (single, one Entomologist) Railway Transport, etc., say Equipment, say

Labour. 40 labourers, at 1s. per day, for seven months

6 native fly boys, at £3 per month, for seven months

1 native surveyor, 1 native dispenser, at £4 per month, for

seven months

1 native carpenter, at £4 per month, for three months only 4 camp labourers, at £2 per month each, for seven months

£

OOOOOO

040000

8. d.

560 0 0

416 13 4

420 0 0

58 4 6 150

0

300 420 126

0

0

0

56 0 0 12 0 56 0

0

0

£2,574 17 10

EQUIPMENT FOR TSETSE INVESTIGATION IN NIGERIA, NORTHERN PROVINCE. LIST A.

1. Required immediately. To be posted to Kaduna, Nigeria, Northern Provinca, Item. Number.

1 Mosquito Net, large, 12 by 12 by 12 feet.

6 Umbrellas, large, black cotton.

1

3

2 Compasses.

4.

9 Watches, Ingersoll.

5

6 Leather Belt Cases for watches.

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