CO885-24 — Page 456

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

TIT

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Reference :---

C.O. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHENOT TO

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There should be but little difference in the cost of the woodwork or super- structure of the pan latrine and the pit latrine, and whatever difference there may be would likely be in favour of the pit latrine, which is more simple in construction and does not require a compartment for, nor the purchase of, pans or buckets.

In practice, it is found that the superstructure in the pan type is readily adapted without expense to the pit latrine, and since the rural householder, in most instances, is readily induced to dig the pit himself, the change from pan latrine to the pit latrine is practically without outlay.

"The need for a latrine which is as "nearly automatic in operation as possible" arises from the fact that but few are met with among the rural population who are inclined or capable of giving constant and intelligent care to the latrine after it is installed.

The pit latrine when properly constructed is very nearly automatic, requiring but little care except that surface water be excluded from the pit by proper drainage.

When the pit becomes filled with night-soil to within twelve or eighteen inches of the surface the digging of a new pit, the filling of the old pit with earth, and the removal of the superstructure to its new position are steps so simple that only ordinary intelligence is required to do these things properly.

In practice it has been observed that the pan latrine often fails to secure the proper disposal of night-soil. After its deposit in the pans there still remains the question of its removal and final disposition, and when this is left to the owner of the latrine it is rarely done properly.

Where people are employed by the authorities to empty the receptacles from the pan latrine this means a considerable expenditure in wages which is not met with in the operation of the pit latrine, and for this disagreeable and nauseating task it is difficult to secure the more responsible and dependable labourer.

It is at this vital point that the pan latrine most often fails in its object, the only safeguard against such failure being the inauguration of a constant and expensive supervision by Government Inspectors whose duty it will be to see that the receptacles are removed from the latrines at proper intervals, emptied of night-soil--- this being handled and disposed of so as not to endanger the health of the com- munity--and the receptacles properly cleaned and returned without delay.

serious It is in the handling of this refuse from the pan latrine that a very temptation is presented to the thrifty farmer to use it to fertilize his cocoa grove and other vegetation, and thus increase his crop yield at the expense of the health and welfare of his community. This dangerous and reprehensible practice is still much too common in certain sections.

?

It would seem that in all cases the adoption of pit latrines, which confine within a limited and protected area the disease-bearing night-soil, would be infinitely preferable to the dangers of promiscuous defecation, or where the vicarious disposal of the refuse collected in the pan latrines too often renders these but little safer as regards the spread of disease than no latrines at all.

H. H. HOWARD, M.D.,

Port of Spain, Trinidad.

42093

No. 18. SEYCHELLES.

COLONIAL OFFICE to THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION.

Downing Street, 18th September, 1915. SIR,

I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Bonar Law to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th ultimo, transmitting a copy of correspondence with the Governor of Seychelles respecting the despatch of a representative of the International Health Commission to that Colony to assist in the relief and control of uncinariasis, and to inform you that the Commission's offer to send a Medical Officer to the Colony for this purpose is gratefully accepted. A telegram to that effect was sent to you on the 18th instant.

I am to convey to the International Health Commission an expression of Mr. Bonar Law's gratitude for this further instance of their generosity.

I am, &c.,

42093

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No. 19. SEYCHELLES.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Miscellaneous.)

Downing Street, 18th September, 1915.

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have received from the International Health Commission a copy of the recent correspondence on the subject of their sending a representative to Seychelles to assist in the relief and control of uncin- ariasis. The Commission informed me of their willingness to despatch a Medical Officer with special training and experience for this purpose.

2. I have informed the Commissiont that their offer is gratefully accepted. and have conveyed to them an expression of my gratitude for this instance of their generosity.

37348

SIR,

No. 20.

BRITISH GUIANA.

I have, &c.,

A. BONAR LAW.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Miscellaneous.)

Downing Street, 18th September, 1915. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 261. of the 20th of July, transmitting copies of a preliminary report on the amelioration and control of ankylostomiasis in the Peter's Hall District of British Guiana.

2. I have to express my appreciation of the excellent work done by Dr. Field with the co-operation of the Surgeon-General and Dr. Ferguson. It is a matter of much satisfaction that the very important question of the improvement of sanitation continues to engage the attention of the Public Health Department.

3.

I would suggest that copies of the report should be sent to the Governors of the West Indian Colonies in which the International Health Commission is operating, if this has not already been done.

I have, &c.,

38942

SIR,

No. 21.

GRENADA.

A. BONAR LAW.

COLONIAL OFFICE to THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION. Downing Street, 21st September, 1915. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Bonar Law to inform you that the Governor of Grenada has recommended that Dr. Angus Macdonald, Medical Officer in charge

of the ankylostomiasis campaign in the Colony, should be granted the same terms

as regards leave of absence as other officials in the Colonial gervice.

In view of Dr. Macdonald's previous service in Jamaica, Mr. Bonar Law has thought it right to accept this recommendation, although under the terms of his appointment in Grenada he is only entitled to one month's leave a year.

The leave regulations for the Colonial service will be found in the Colonial Office List, copies of which are in your possession. It will, of course, be understood that the grant of leave is dependent on the exigencies of the service, and, in the oir- cumstances, Mr. Bonar Law trusts that you will see no objection to this concession in Dr. Macdonald's case.

I am, &c.,

H. J. READ, for the Under-Secretary of State.

* No. 15.

·H. J. READ, for the Under-Secretary of State.

+42099; not printed.

* Enclosures in No. 15.

+ No. 18.

No. 5.

D 2

45413

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