CO885-(7-8) — Page 11

79

159

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.885

7

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

78

school in connection with that institution. The estimated cost of the necessary build- ings for the accommodation of the school is £3,550, towards which sum the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have agreed to contribute £1,775 on behalf of the Exchequer-aided Colonies and Protectorates, on the condition that the other British possessions concerned contribute the remaining moiety.

6. The second measure which I propose is the institution of a thorough scientific investigation into the causes and cure of malaria. This proposal has already, after correspondence with the Royal Society, taken definite shape, and is briefly as follows:-

7. The Royal Society have nominated two competent observers, who have just completed a preliminary course of study in Italy, and who are now about to proceed to Blantyre, in the British Central Africa Protectorate, where it is understood that there are good opportunities for studying the disease.

8. In addition, it is proposed that a medical officer of the Colonial Service should aid in the investigation, and, on Dr. Manson's recommendation, I have selected Dr. C W. Daniels, of the British Guiana Medical Department, for this purpose.

9. Dr. Daniels will in the first place proceed to India in order to study under Major Ross, of the Indian Medical Department, for about two months, so as to make himself acquainted with the results of that officer's researches, which are believed to be of great value. He will then join the other two observers in the British Central Africa Protectorate, and, when they have completed their work in that district, they will visit the West Coast of Africa. Their investigations will extend over a period of nearly two years, and they will report, from time to time, to a Committee nominated jointly by the Royal Society and myself.

10. It is estimated that the total cost of the Commission will be at least £5,000, towards which the Royal Society will contribute £600, leaving £4,400 to be contributed by the Colonies interested.

11. The total amount which these Colonies are required to contribute towards the two schemes is, therefore, as follows:-

School of Tropical Medicine...

Malaria Investigation Commission

Total

... £1,775

4,400

£6,175

a contribution which, in view of possible unforeseen contingencies, I consider it advis- able to increase to at least £7,000.

12. As both schemes are of such vital importance to the British possessions in Africa, I consider that the latter may be fairly called upon to contribute one-half of the total sum of £7,000, or £3,500.

13. I do not feel justified in asking the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to make any contribution, on behalf of the Exchequer-aided Protectorates in British Central Africa and East Africa, towards the cost of the Malaria Investigation Commis- sion, as they have made a generous grant of £1,775 to the School of Tropical Medicine, and a minimum sum of £3,500 will therefore have to be provided by the Colonies of the Gambia, Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast, and Lagos, and by the Niger Coast Protectorate. The balance will be provided by some of the other Colonies in the tropics, whose names and contributions it is not necessary to specify.

14. I am of opinion that the British possessions in West Africa, referred to above, should contribute the sum of £3,500 in the following proportions :-

Gambia

Sierra Leone

Gold Coast

Lagos

Niger Coast Protectorate

£200

300

1,000

1,000

1,000

but, as some of them are in temporary financial difficulties, the contribution in their cases may be spread over a period of two years, if necessary.

15. I request that you will take steps to provide the sum which is due as a con- tribution from the Colony under your administration, and I trust that your Government will support by every other means in its power two schemes which, if carried to a success- ful issue, are likely to be attended with most beneficial results.

1

I have, &c.,

J. CHAMBERLAIN.

25029.

SIR,

No. 112.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to the GOVERNORS of JAMAICA, FIJI, and

1

MAURITIUS.

[Answered by Nos. 166a, 163 and 219.]

(Jamaica. No, 368.)

(Mauritius. No. 266.)

(Fiji. No. 81.)

Downing Street, November 25, 1898. [Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 as in No. 111.]

4. I need hardly enlarge upon the importance of this proposal to the inhabitants of the Colony under your administration where sickness and mortality from such diseases is considerable. At present the greater number of medical officers selected in this country have little or no knowledge, at the time of their appointment, of the diagnosis and treatment of tropical disease, though they may, by the exigencies of the service, be placed at once in responsible positions, where such a knowledge would be of the highest importance. These officers will, under the new scheme, receive a short course of instruction before proceeding to their respective Colonies, while the officers who have been selected in the Colonies themselves will have an opportunity of extend- ing their knowledge by attending the school during leave of absence in this country.

[Paragraph 5 as in No. 111.]

6. The second measure which I propose is the encouragement, by every means in my power, of scientific enquiry into the causes of tropical diseases. Accordingly, I have already, after correspondence with the Royal Society, instituted a Commission to study the subject of tropical malaria, on the following lines.

[Paragraphs 7 and 8 as in No. 111.)

9. Dr. Daniels will, in the first place, proceed to India in order to study under Major Ross, of the Indian Medical Department, for about two months, so as to make himself acquainted with the results of that gentleman's researches, which are believed to be of great value. He will then join the other two observers in the British Central Africa Protectorate, and, when they have completed their work in that district, they will probably visit the West Coast of Africa. Their investigations will extend over a period of nearly two years, and they will report, in common, from time to time to a Committee nominated jointly by the Royal Society and myself.

[ Paragraph 10 as in No. 111.]

11. The total amount which these Colonies are required to contribute towards the two schemes is therefore as follows:-

School of Tropical Medicine

Malaria Investigation Commission

Total

£1,775 4,400

£6,175

a contribution which, in view of possible unforeseen contingencies, I consider it ad- visable to increase to at least £7,000. The British possessions in West Africa have been asked to provide one-half of the total amount-£1,000 in each case being assessed to the Gold Coast, Lagos, and the Niger Coast Protectorate, and I trust that To Jamaica

and Fiji: subject to financial considerations] the Government of Fiji

(Jamaica

Mauritius

will

£500. see its way to contributing a sum of £100. The contribution can, if desired, be £150. spread over two years. [To Mauritius only: and I should have asked for a somewhat larger grant if the financial condition of Mauritius had been more prosperous.]

12. I trust, too, that your Government will support the schemes by any other means in its power, as I consider and you will no doubt share my view-that if carried to a successful issue, they cannot fail to be attended with most beneficial results.

I have, &c.,

J. CHAMBERLAIN.

بیشتر