439
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
PELLE 1.885/25
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
2
I have the honour to inform you that Dr. J. E. Snodgrass arrived in Ceylon on the 14th December, 1915, and commenced work in certain villages in the Matale District. Dr. H. H. Howard arrived in Ceylon on the 22nd March, 1916.
2. I enclose a copy of a letter dated the 3rd June, 1916, which has been received from Mr. T. L. Villiers, the Chairman of the Committee appointed by the Estate Agents' Association to control the work of the International Health Com- mission in Ceylon, in which he deals with the question of the division of the cost of the campaign between Ceylon and the International Health Commission, the appointment of a local Committee of Control, and other matters connected with the campaign. I also enclose a copy of the Colonial Secretary's reply, from which it will be seen that I have agreed to all the suggestions put forward by Mr. Villiers, including the appointment of a local Committee of Control.
3. Dr. Howard, who has done very valuable work in connexion with the cam- Previous to his departure a meeting of the paign, left Ceylon on 5th July. Committee of Control was held, at which he was present, and the opportunity was taken by the Committee to express their warm appreciation of his services. The Colonial Secretary also tendered the thanks of the Government to Dr. Howard. I should be glad if you would cause these expressions of appreciation to be conveyed to the International Health Commission.
4. I have appointed Dr. Barnes, who has recently arrived in the Colony as a representative of the International Health Commission, to be a member of the Committee of Control in place of Dr. Howard, and have also appointed Dr. K. McGahey to be an additional member.
I have, &c.,
JOHN ANDERSON,
SIR,
Enclosure 1 in No. 2. ANKYLOSTOMIASIS CAMPAIGN.
Governor, &c.
Colombo, 3rd June, 1916. I HAVE the honour to submit the following statements, for the information of Government, in connexion with the above campaign.
2. A meeting of the Committee appointed by the Estate Agents' Association to control the work being carried out by the Rockefeller International Health Com- mission was held on Monday, the 22nd ultimo, at which the following members were present:-Mr. T. L. Villiers (in the chair), the Honourable Dr. Rutherford, Principal Civil Medical Officer, Mr. H. Gordon Bois, Dr. H. M. Fernando, Dr. Howard, Dr. Snodgrass, Honourable Mr. W. H. Figg, and Sir J. Thomson Broom. The Chairman of the Planters' Association and the Chairman of the Matale Planters' Association were unfortunately unable to attend, owing to the breakdown of the railway.
3. As you are aware, Dr. Snodgrass is the Director of the present campaign, and it seems that, basing the programme on previous experience, each campaign needs to be under a qualified Director, and the following is laid down as a unit of force-One Director; one Field Inspector; two (or three) clerks; three micro- scopists; twelve dispensers; one caretaker.
4. After careful consideration of all the facts the Committee was strongly of the opinion that it would be a mistake to take up another campaign until the effort now being made in Matale has been made a success, and it is not proposed therefore to extend the work beyond the Matale District until after the end of the present calendar year. It is hoped, however, that two more campaigns will be inaugurated early in 1917 if the proposals now laid before you meet with the approval of Government.
5. The importance of preparing the way for a further campaign by the erection of latrines must not be lost sight of, and both up-country and in Colombo it seems pretty well recognized that latrines must be erected adjacent to all coolie lines, and that the sooner this work is put in hand the better, so that when the actual treatment is undertaken the chances of reinfection may be reduced to a minimum. It is not improbable that the Government will be approached in due course to make the erection of latrines compulsory on all estates, and this can probably be brought about under the powers given in Ordinance No. 9 of 1912, Section 12.
3
8. The question of expenditure has received the further consideration of the Committee, and the work will undoubtedly cost a good deal more than was originally anticipated. It may be useful to place on record the present arrangement as to payment, which is briefly as follows:-The International Health Commission pay all expenses in connexion with the Director and his personal staff, whilst the Colony provides the subordinate staff and medicines, half of this being contributed by Government and the other half is guaranteed by the Estate Agents' Association. The latter body is also responsible for the accommodation of the subordinate staff when working on the estates.
7. The International Health Commission, through its representative, Dr. Howard, has expressed its willingness to contribute further towards the cost of the work in Ceylon. An estimate has been prepared showing the cost of one unit of force for one year, and, with a view to drawing as clear a line as possible between the items that might be paid for by the International Health Commission and the items that might be paid for in the Colony, I have the honour to attach a statement showing the items to be borne by each party, and would commend the same for the favourable consideration of Government.
8. It has been pointed out by Dr. Howard that the authorities of the central office in New York can make suitable and satisfactory arrangements for the supply of the necessary equipment and medicines, and it is suggested that, as they are well acquainted with the quantities required, they should be allowed to supply these for the use of the Directors of the campaign, and I have the honour to request that such supplies may be allowed to enter the Colony duty free. These supplies and medicines would be used solely by the officers of the campaign and would not be for sale or distribution.
9. As regards the staff and supplies that are to be paid for by the Colony, it will be noticed that it includes the whole staff recruited in Ceylon, including the clerks supplied to the Director, who are at present paid for by the International Health Commission.
10. Over and above the expenditure now being incurred in dealing with the estates, it has been found absolutely essential that intervening villages should receive the necessary treatment, and I understand that Government is meeting the cost of all sanitary work in the villages, though the cost of treating the disease amongst the villagers falls on the campaign. It seems, therefore, that it would simplify matters very considerably if the division between the cost of treating estate labourers as distinct from others were based on the same lines as the medical treatment in hospitals is based under Ordinance No. 9 of 1912. The officers of the campaign keep records, which can be furnished without difficulty. showing the number of "estate labourers" treated and the number of "others," and I have the honour to suggest that the cost be apportioned in the same way, that is to say, the treatment of estate labourers will fall to be charged against the moneys collected by the medical tax on tea, rubber, etc., whilst the remainder will fall to be charged to the general revenue. This does not apply to sanitary work carried out in the villages or on the estates.
11. The International Health Commission lay considerable stress on having a local Committee of Control, such as the Committee appointed by the Estate Agents' Association, and it would perhaps be considered advisable that this Committee should be appointed by Government, whether it be decided to retain the present Committee or appoint others. The carrying out of the work would be left almost entirely in the hands of the respective Directors.
12. From experience gained elsewhere it is thought advisable that, anyway for some time to come, each campaign should be under the control of a Director appointed by the International Health Commission.
13. Dr. Howard informs me that the estimates of expenditure for the coming season should be in the hands of the authorities in New York within the next two months, as estimates are in course of preparation for all countries to which their work extends, and I have therefore the honour to request that an early reply may be given to the offer made by the International Health Commission.
14. Mandapan.--Correspondence is, I believe, passing between the Inter- national Health Commission and the Government of India on the subject of their being allowed to examine all coolies and others entering the island through Mandapan. It is not, I understand, the intention to attempt any treatment of the coolies at Mandapan, and the whole cost of the work at Mandapan is, I
Page 450Page 451
431
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
885/25
MULTICO.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
4
believe, to be borne by the International Health Commission, except, perhaps, the providing of accommodation.
In conclusion, I have the honour to inform you that I shall be ready to call on you at any time convenient to yourself to explain any points that may not seem to you quite clear at present.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
Colombo.
I have, &c.,
TOM VILLIERS, Chairman, Ankylostomiasis Committee.
ANKYLOSTOMIASIS CAMPAIGN.
Estimate for one Unit of Force for one Year.
Furnished by the International Health Commission. Direction. One qualified Medical Officer, specially trained and
experienced. Salary and allowances Equipment, to be bought and paid for by the International Health Commission, and entered duty free:-Microscopes and acces- sories; centrifuges and accessories; balopticon and accessories; charts, hæmoglobin scales; camera and accessories; typewriter and supplies; miscellaneous supplies to be used in laboratory or campaign Supplies, bought and paid for by the International Health Commis- sion, and entered duty free:-Thymol, chenopodium; castor oil; mag. sulph.; tin containers; toothpicks
Furnished by Ceylon.
R8,15,540
Rs.2,250
Rs.12,000
Say, Rs.30,000
Subordinate Staff.-To be employed and paid all salary and allow- ances locally-Clerks (two or three); microscopists (three); dispensers (twelve); caretaker (one); field inspector (?) Offices in each area of operation; office furniture, utensils, and supplies; stationery and stationery supplies; all printed matter, record books, forms, report blanks, etc.; drugs for treatment of sequellæ of ankylostomiasis, disinfectants, bandages, and dressings; apothecaries' scales, mortars and pestles, bottles and corks for dispensing; graduates; empty capsules Contingent Fund (furnished by Government)
been equally defrayed by the Government and the Estate Agents' Association, and I gladly avail myself of the opportunity of expressing, on behalf of His Excel- lency, as well as of myself, the appreciation of this Government of the public spirit shown by the Association, both in the provision of money and in the large share which they have taken in the organization of this important campaign.
I understand that the existing arrangement will continue until the end of the financial year (30th September), after which, in view of the wider extent and con- sequently increased cost of the operations to be undertaken, it is necessary to place matters on a more permanent footing. Your suggestion is that the cost of treat- ment should be apportioned between general revenue and the Medical Wants Fund in the same manner as is adopted in the case of hospital expenses, the cost of sanitary work in villages or estates being borne by Government and estate owners respectively.
His Excellency concurs in this suggestion, provided that it meets with the approval of the Medical Wants Committee. A small amendment to the Medical Wants Ordinance will be required, and I will take an early opportunity of laying before the Committee the draft of an amending Ordinance and the suggestion as to the division of expenses.
3. The suggestion that supplies of medicine and equipment for the use of the campaign should be imported free of Customs duty will require the consent of the Legislative Council, for which I propose to ask at an early date.
4. His Excellency notes that the International Health Commission lay stress on the importance of having a local Committee of Control, and he concurs in the view that it would be best that such a Committee should be constituted by Govern- ment. His Excellency feels that, in view of the satisfactory results of the steps already taken under the auspices of the Committee appointed by the Estate Agents' Association, it is very desirable to retain the services of the gentlemen who are already familiar with the situation; but he desires that I should myself be Chairman in order to emphasize the great interest which the Government takes in the campaign. He proposes, therefore, to appoint as the members of the Com- mittee, if they are willing to serve, yourself, the Principal Civil Medical Officer, the Honourable Mr. W. H. Figg, Sir J. Thomson Broom, Mr. H. Gordon Bois, Dr. H. M. Fernando, Dr. Howard, Dr. Snodgrass, the Chairman of the Planters' Association (ex officio), and the Chairman of the Matale Planters' Association (ex officio). On the extension of the campaign to any other district the Chairman of the local Planters' Association would be added as an ex officio member.
R. E. STUBBS,
Colonial Secretary.
I am, &c.,
SIR,
(No. 9691.)
Enclosure 2 in No. 2.
Rs.15,500
T Villiers. Esq.
37866
Rs.7,500 Rs.1,500
Say, Rs.25,000
(No. 237.)
SIR,
TOM VILLIERS.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Colombo, 13th June, 1918.
As a result of our discussion on the 10th of June I have laid before His Excellency the Governor the suggestions in regard to the ankylostomiasis campaign on which we agreed, and I am glad to be able to inform you that he has expressed his concurrence in them.
1
2. You have already been informed that this Government readily accepts the proposals made in your letter of the 3rd of June with regard to the division of the cost of the campaign between Ceylon and the International Health Com- mission. There remains the question of the manner in which the expenditure which falls to the share of Ceylon is to be met. Hitherto this part of the expenditure has
No. 3.
BRITISH GUIANA.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 10th August, 1916.)
To Secretary of State, No. 261, of 20th July,
1915.
Government House, Georgetown, Demerara, 10th July, 1916. WITH reference to previous correspondence* noted in the margin, I have the honour to transmit, under separate cover, twenty printed copies of the Reportt From Secretary of State, Miscellaneous, of on the Amelioration and Control of Ankylos-
18th September, 1915.
tomiasis in the Belle Vue (West Bank) District of British Guiana, by the Supervising Medical Officer, Dr. F. E. Field, with a covering letter by the Honourable K. S. Wise, Surgeon-General.
2. Copies of the report are being sent to the International Health Commis- sion and to the Governors of the West Indian Colonies in which the Commission is operating.
have, &c.,
C. CLEMENTI, Officer Administering the Government.
* Nos. 5 and 20 in Miscellaneous No. 320.
+ Not reprinted.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.