11
A
14
8. During the month I have visited St. David's area, observed the operations there, and have made special local investigation throughout most of the districts into which the area is divided.
9. In addition to the routine work at headquarters and in Mount Moritz area I have visited and had talks with the children and teachers at Birchgrove, Crochu, Pomme Rose, and St. Dominic's Schools.
10. A complete survey of the sanitary improvement in the areas under opera- tion will not be available until the treatment is finished; but certain records of com- parison between the present sanitary convenience on premises within the Mount Moritz area and that at the beginning of the campaign will give indication of progress :-
Mount Moritz area.
induce
date, c
have n
as the
numbe
20
the pe
but no
of the Andre
figure comple
held fi
Number of Dwellings Reinspectul, May, 1915.
474
12
Number of Dwellings baving satisfactory Sanitary Convenience
on 1st January, 1915.
on 1st May, 1918.
876
21
11. I have here used the term "satisfactory" in a mere relative sense, express- ing an individual opinion of any improvement resulting from our instruction. These improvements are in some cases capital deep pit closets, but in some cases so far they are pits about four feet deep, with little protection from storm-water, though usually fenced off from animals.
12. Considering that the original state of affairs was (with a few exceptions) zero, the improvement as the result of suasion is satisfactory, and opportunity is regularly taken to commend the people on their efforts and point out little ways of further improvement.
13. The District Sanitary Inspector has aided the work of the Commission by advising the pit system on his domiciliary visitations.
14. In order fully to discuss the subject of the nature of sanitary convenience to be recommended throughout the island, a full meeting of the medical men in the island assembled during the month at the offices of the International Health Com- mission on the invitation of the Colonial Surgeon. The subject was introduced by the Medical Officer in charge, in a paper entitled "The Disposal of Excreta in the Tropics"; full discussion ensued, and a resolution was passed unanimously which practically embodies the recommendations presented in the joint Report on Sanitary Necessities of the Colonial Surgeon and the Medical Officer in charge.
15. As appendices* to this report I present copy of daily newspaper of 28th April ultimo, which gives a fairly accurate report of the medical meeting; also a copy of the paper read at the meeting. The latter records my views on the disposal of excreta in Grenada, and the report of the meeting puts on record the unanimous opinion of the medical men in the island.
16. I would take this opportunity of adding that expert sanitary advice should always be a preliminary of any latrine construction; there is distinct possibility of gross error resulting if a builder is entrusted with such work merely on the general instructions of the unskilled.
17 Conditions of subsoil and many factors vary throughout the island, and the actual necessities at any one spot must be individually assessed. The principle stands; the models are many.
19 As a result of the interview with the Medical Director on 4th instant, a budget is recommended for your approval to cover the work of the International Tealth Commission (Ankylostomiasis Campaign) in Grenada for the half-year from 1st July to 31st December, 1915, which includes the excess incurred in the first half- vear over the estimate for that period, taken as one-half of £1,856, the sum allocated for the year. Through the courtesy of the Medical Director and of the Director- General this budget is likely to be effected by the Commission at New York.
REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 1915.
19. The operations in the Mount Moritz area on the "intensive" system are slowly being brought to a finish. The main work of census-taking and examination nas long been finished; treatment is being continued, and attempt is being made to
• Not printed.
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St. Day
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