CO885-(7-8) — Page 427

59.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

1111C.O.885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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I am inclined to think that the number of streams could be reduced, and some of the smaller diverted into the larger channels, and the number of breeding grounds thus diminished. But on these points no positive opinion can be given till the beds have been examined in the dry season.

Though I consider that you have already proved the practicability of exterminat- ing Anopheles in Sierra Leone during the wet season, the work is at present incom- plete, even in the streets in which most work has been done; and I estimate, at the present rate of work, will still be incomplete at the end of the wet season, when the work will be entirely changed. During the dry season, in addition to dealing with the new conditions which will then arise, the work already done should be placed on a permanent footing.

In the next wet season double the men, say 100, should be employed, and two Europeans for supervision. One European-even so able and energetic a man as Dr. Logan Taylor-barely suffices for thorough supervision of the present work.

I am aware that this will cost, apart from the expense of supervision, over £100 a month instead of the £50 to £60 which, including the cost of labour provided locally, is now spent; but it will be better for one place to be done well, and that a difficult one to deal with, than that partial measures be attempted in many places.

The experiment is being so closely watched and criticised that failure, or only doubtful success, would be a disaster.

I think, therefore, that it will be more to the true interests of West African hygiene for attention and money to be concentrated on Sierra Leone.

In this I would make one exception, Sekondi. This new town will, as the terminus of the railway, be one of the most important places on the coast.

The European work in connection with the railway has not only increased the actual breeding grounds, but by means of trenches Anopheles are being conveyed from a distance through the European settlement. No plan seems to be followed in the erection of houses, and, generally speaking, European work already done has con- plicated matters, and will cause much increased expense in making reasonably healthy what could have easily been from the first a model settlement.

I think it would be advisable to attempt to obtain in Sierra Leone some-numerical estimate of the present prevalence of malaria: and for this purpose suggest as the most convenient the estimation of the proportion of children with splenic enlargement at fixed ages, say between one and two years of age, as, up to two or three years, reliable statements as to the age of children can generally be obtained. As a check on this method, Barbadians in the West India Regiment who have not been previously exposed to malaria, and consequently are highly susceptible, should be examined. In them malarial infection is indicated by malarial fever. The length of residence in Sierra Leone requisite for malarial infection in the 'Barbadians will then give an indication of the present liability to infection.

In conclusion I wish to express my thanks to you personally, and to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, for the opportunity afforded me of seeing the first real British practical application of the principles you have elucidated.

35615

I am, &c.,

C. W. DANIELS, M.B.,

London School of Tropical Medicine

No. 58.,

OFFICE.

THE LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE to COLONIAL

(Received October 11, 1901.)

[Copy to Governors, Gold Coast, No. 619, and Gambia, No. 171, November 1, 1901. L.F.]

[Answered by No. 62.]

SIR,

I AM requested to inform you that the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, having secured the services of Dr. Charles Balfour Stewart for the purpose, have. arranged to despatch an expedition to the Gold Coast at the end of this month, to

B 10, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, October 10, 1901.

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conduct similar sanitary operations there to those now being carried on under Dr. Logan Taylor at Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The school have also despatched (on September the 21st) an expedition, with the same objects, under Dr. J. E. Dutton and Walter Myers, Fellow in the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, to start operations in the Gambia.

By the end of the next month, therefore, an organised campaign against mos- quitoes and other causes of ill health on the West Coast of Africa will be in full operation in the Gambia, Sierra Leone, and the Gold Coast, under the auspices of the Liverpool School, and under the general direction of Major Ronald Ross, F.R.S.

I have to inform you that, in addition to the sums voted by the School towards the expenses of these operations, Mr. James Coats, junior, of Paisley, has generously contributed a second donation of £1,000 and Mr. Frederick Swanzy, of London, a sum of £500.

These gentlemen do not wish their names to be made public in the matter, but the Committee feel justified in calling your attention to their most valuable assistance:

It is hoped that the work of the various expeditions will be successful.

36043

SIR,

No. 59.

HONG KONG.

I have, &c.,

A. II. MILNE.

GOVERNOR SIR II. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN. (Received October 14, 1901.).

(No. 358.)

Government House, Hong Kong, September 11, 1901.

In reply to your circular despatch of the 20th of last April,* on the subject

of the connection of malarial fever with mosquitoes, I have the honour to enclose, for your information, a copy of a Minute of Dr. Bell.

2. I have caused the suggestion at (e.) to be carried out, and attach a copy of the Chinese notices† which I have caused to be issued. Two hundred posters and 2,000 sinaller notices have been printed and sent into the New Territory.

I have, &c.,

HENRY A. BLAKE,

Enclosure in No. 59.

From Dr. BELL to the COLONIAL SECRETARY.

HONOURABLE Colonial SecRETARY,

Governor, &c.

(a) This is, of course, impossible in Hong Kong itself, except as far as the Peak is concerned, this place being practically a European Reservation. As to Kowloon, it is also, I believe, out of the question now to reserve any part specially for Europeans, but where possible Chinese dwelling houses should be interdicted in close proximity to European ones, though I am not quite clear how this is to be done. In the New Territory it should be possible to erect most of the Government Buildings in accord- ance with the rules contained in this paragraph. If the rule now laid down, that all sites and plans for Government Buildings must first be approved of by the Principal Civil Medical Officer and Medical Officer of Health is carried out, I think Government Buildings in this Colony will in future be much healthier.

(b.) This does not apply here as no official sleeps in part of his office--all having distinct and separate dwelling-houses or quarters.

(c.) I am not quite clear what rooms are meant, nor exactly what means would be the best. I am afraid the rule is better in theory than it will be in practice.

(d.) This is already pretty generally done in this Colony save in individual cases where people cannot sleep under them. The l'olice in the New Territory are all now supplied.

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