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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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was appointed on the 13th April, 1901, to enquire into and report upon the sanitary condition of certain localities in the District of Moka.

2. On the 20th of the same month in accordance with the desire expressed by Dr. Chastellier, Dr. Lorans, now the Acting Director of the Medical and Health Department, was appointed Chairman of the Committee.

3. In June, 1901, the sphere of action of the Committee was whole Island.

extended to the 4. Mr. D'Emmerez de Charmoy was appointed Technical Assistant to the Com- mittee to study the particular part played by Anopheles Mauritianus in the trans- mission of malaria.

5. Under cover of his despatch, No. 272, of the 28th instant, the Governor transmitted to the Secretary of State an elaborate and valuable report of the Com- mittee on their proceedings to the end of the year 1902.

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6. Drs. Alfred and Aime Lesur who, in 1897, had drawn attention to the exist- ence of ankylostomiasis in the Island clearly demonstrated in 1898, the existence of Laveran's haematozoon in Mauritius, and subsequently ascertained that the aestivo autumnal form of malaria was met with mainly from March to June, while tertian and quartan fever prevailed irregularly during the rest of the year.

7. The part played by the Anopheles costalis as a carrier of malarial infection, had already, been discovered abroad, when it was demonstrated in this Colony shortly after. It was not known, however, whether the Anopheles Mauritianus (var. similis) possessed the same powers, but Mr. D'Emmerez de Charmoy, at present in charge of the Museum, who was entrusted with these researches by the Committee, has been able to report that he had discovered, during the last malarial season, the existence of sporozoites in the salivary glands of some gnats of that species captured in dwellings at Grand Port.

8. The same gentleman, it may be added, had previously confirmed, by local investigations, the part played by Culex fatigans as a transmitter of filariasis in this Colony.

9. Besides the above researches, investigations have been carried out since last year in Mauritius, whereby the existence of trypanosomiasis (surrah) in bovines and equines, and its transmission by a stomoxys, have been established.

10. Another disease of animals, resembling farcy, locally called “cordon,” and described by French Veterinary Surgeons as Farcin d'Afrique, has been inquired into and the micrococcus of Rivalta, its reported causal agent, has been identified by several investigators.

SCHOOL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE.

On the 23rd May, 1899, a sum of £150 was voted by the Council of Govern- inent to meet the costs of the School of Tropical Medicine and the expenses of the Malaria Investigation Commission referred to in the Secretary of State's despatch, No. 266, oʻ Jo.

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The Secretary of State having asked for a further subsidy of £100, the amount was voted on the 10th June, 1902.

As anticipated by the Governor in his despatch, No. 289, of the 2nd August, 1901, a clause has been inserted in the Education (Amendment) Ordinance, 1902, Article 1, paragraph (4) that :-

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"Laureates studying for the Medical Profession shall be required to undergo

a course of instruction for two months at the London School of Tropical Medicine.” the tuition fees being paid by Government.

Since the establishment of the School, only few Medical Officers of the Colony

have gone to England on leave.

The regular course of lectures was attended in 1900 by Dr. E. de Chazal, and in 1902 by Dr. G. Leçlézio.

The schools have also been visited by Dr. Lorans, the Acting Medical Director, and by Dr. E. Laurent."

TRAINED NURSES.

In the Estimates for 1902-03, a sum of Rs. 2,000 was contributed to the Colonial Nursing Association.

It was also decided last year that an English Matron with a salary at the rate of Rs. 1,500 a year and furnished quarters should be engaged for the Civil Hospital.

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The Matron assumed duty on the 25th February last, her emoluments having since been increased by Rs. 1,460 besides the payment of her quarters.

.In addition to the ordinary duties of a Matron Miss Batchelor is required to train and to supervise the work of probationers selected locally from among Sisters of Charity, and other suitable candidates, and to give them lectures in the French language on hospital work.

In the Estimates for 1903-04, a sum of Rs. 1,000 a year, to last three years has been voted as a contribution towards a Dispensary in charge of a lady doctor. The lady selected, Miss Janet Horwood, F.R.C.S. (Ireland), has arrived in the Colony, and is devoting herself with great energy to the treatment principally of poor female patients of Asiatic origin.

GRAHAM BOWER,

July 28, 1903.

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No. 99.

SEYCHELLES.

Colonial Secretary.

ADMINISTRATOR SWEET ESCOTT to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(No. 152.)

(Received August 27, 1903.)

[Answered by No. 102.] ·

SIR,

Government House, Seychelles, August 5, 1903. WITH reference to your circular despatch of the 28th May last, I have the honour to forward copies of my Minute, No. 11, of 1903, inviting the Seychelles Legislative Council to approve of a sum of £50 (Rs. 750) being provided annually in the Estimates, beginning with the Estimates for 1904, as this Colony's contribution to the permanent Fund which you desire to establish in order to continue and extend the investigation of malaria and other tropical diseases.

2. My proposal was approved unanimously at a meeting of the Legislative Council held on the 4th instant, and I beg to submit it for your sanction so that'the necessary provision may be made in the Estimates for 1904.

3. Although the suggested contribution is apparently small, it is as much from Seychelles, having regard to its revenue, as a contribution of £1,000 (Rs. 15,000) would be from Mauritius, and if other Colonies contribute in the same proportion, the sufficiency of the permanent Fund should be secured. I have little doubt, how- ever, that I could carry a vote for an increase in the annual contribution from Seychelles, if you consider the amount now voted to be insufficient.

(Minute No. 11, of 1903.)

I have, &c.,

E. B. SWEET ESCOTT,

Administrator..

Enclosure in No. 99.

The Administrator has the honour to lay before the Legislative Council a circu- lar despatch from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, summarising the steps which have been taken in connection with the investigation of malaria and the training of Medical Officers in the treatment and prevention of tropical diseases, and the results which have so far been secured, and making certain suggestions for continuing and extending this work.

Such continuation and extension must depend on the establishment of a perma- nent fund to which Seychelles, in common with other Colonies and Dependencies of the Crown, is now asked to contribute. Although Seychelles is stated by competent medical authority to be exempt from the various forms of malarial disease, it would be unwise to prophesy that it will, for all time, occupy this enviable position, and it must not be forgotten that there are other tropical diseases, cases of which are

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