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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

116

MEMORANDUM 1.

With reference to continuity of work.

1. It is of importance to have knowledge of local diseases, conditions and language. This can only be obtained by having at least one of the superior officers as a permanent official.

2. Some of the suggested investigations, as, for instance, that of the cocoanut beetle, will have to be spread over some years, as the complete life history of the insect will have to be traced, and other species of this genus require two years or more for their development.

3. Special knowledge, e.g., of local entomology, the animal parasites, &c. will have to be gained by the Assistant Medical Officers during the study. This will be of the highest value in investigations in diseases related to these subjects, and will be of comparatively little value to a District Medical Officer. Complete changes of the staff will require frequent repetition of this work and delay progress.

4. Some continuity in the line of intended research is required. I at present am ignorant of even the proposed objects of some of the buildings to be erected. Beyond the published work of my predecessor I have no guide as to what his inten- tions were nor the aid which a knowledge of his failures as well as of his successes would have given me.

5. It would certainly not be advisable to make a rule of continuing the services of every Medical Officer who comes out as a permanent official of the Institute. Such confirmation should be considered as a definite promotion. The appointment as an assistant is merely a guarantee of his ability and many brilliant and enthusiastic students soon weary of the drudgery of steady research work, and others are lacking in originality.

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My suggestion is that such of the assistants as show themselves to be exception- ally well qualified in any branch of research work can be taken on to the permanent staff if they desire it. In this way, in the course of a few years a really capable staff would be obtained. That they should receive increase of pay, the appointments should be pensionable, but they should have no private practice, and "study leave on full pay in addition to ordinary leave should be granted. This study leave " to be granted subject to proper conditions, such as place of study. Queensland or India for some purposes would be best. This "study leave inducements to an earnest worker to remain at the Institution, and might be con-

and increase of

pay would be sidered as compensation for loss of private practice. The Senior Native Assistant should also be a permanent and pensionable official.

"

6. There seems to be an impression that opportunities for research work are eagerly sought after, and that such workers are indifferent to the emoluments. That is so to a very limited extent only. Such workers usually prefer to remain in England at one of the Universities, where they can enjoy the society of members of scientific circles and take part in the transactions of scientific societies. Even if they wish to investigate tropical disease, there are well equipped laboratories and abundant material in Egypt, and for more purely tropical work, 10 to 14 days from England, British Guiana, Barbados and Trinidad offer a larger amount and greater variety of clinical and pathological material than we do, though not our laboratory accom- modation. There are only one or two, such as Dr. Durham, who have undertaken such work in the tropics for little or no pay.

7. As an instance of the difficulty in obtaining men for research work, I may mention the difficulty the Royal Society experienced in obtaining men to undertake the investigation of sleeping sickness, and ultimately had to appoint an Italian as one of the three. In Germany it has been found necessary to pay double for tropical research work, £2 a day being the minimum in any of the German Tropical Commissions.

8. Independent workers, even if obtainable, are not altogether suitable for subordinate positions, and sometimes do not realise the necessity of discipline.

April 28, 1903.

32128

SIR,

117

No. 106. MAURITIUS.

COLONIAL OFFICE to THE MALARIA COMMITTEE.

Downing Street, October 22, 1903.

I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to transmit to you to be laid before your Committee the accompanying copy of a despatch* which has been received from the Governor of Mauritius, forwarding a Report by the Malaria Enquiry Com- mittee, which has been sitting in the Colony, on their proceedings during the years 1901 and 1902, together with papers showing to what extent steps have been taken to carry out the recommendations of the Committee.

2. Mr. Lyttelton would be much obliged if your Committee would favour him, with any observations they may desire to offer in regard to Sir C. Bruce's despatch and the papers enclosed therein.

3. I am to add that a despatch is being addressed to the Governor enquiring what expenditure has been incurred by the measures adopted up to the present, and what, in his opinion, is likely to be the cost of the permanent cleaning and up- keep of the river beds and reserves, referred to in the 4th paragraph of his despatch.

I am, &c.,

38950

SIR,

No. 107. MAURITIUS.

H. BERTRAM COX.

SIR P. MANSON to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received October 24, 1903.)

[Answered by No. 109.]

21, Queen Anne Street, Cavendish Square, October 23, 1903.

THE recent report on anti-malaria measures in Mauritius is a document of interest and promise.

It evidences a desire on the part of the Colony, and especially of the Colonial Medical Officers, to act on scientific lines in dealing with one of the several endemic diseases of the island; it further shows a capacity for investigation on the part of the scientific staff.

It is manifest from the report that however willing the medical staff may be it is hampered by want of leisure to follow up certain very promising lines of investi- gation.

I believe that if asked the London School of Tropical Medicine would be willing to send out an expert to assist the local staff in these investigations, provided his laboratory and travelling expenses were found by the Colony.

I would suggest that you enquire of the Mauritius authorities if they would be willing to meet this small expense.

If a favourable repiy is received, the School, I believe, would despatch the expert

at the beginning of 1904, and find his salary for two years.

The subjects which would be specially investigated by the expert are the en- demic diseases of Mauritius, viz., Malaria, Filariasis, Bilharzia.

I have not officially submitted this proposal to the School Committee, but have little doubt it would be endorsed.

I am, &c.,

PATRICK MANSON.

• No. 97.