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SIR,

(No. 398.)

No. 22. TRINIDAD.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 2nd October, 1915.)

Government House, 1st September, 1915. In continuation of the Governor's despatch No. 251, of the 1st July,* I have the honour to forward, for your information, the enclosed report by the Acting Medical Officer in charge of the ankylostomiasis operations for the month of May, 1915.

I have, &o.,

S. W. KNAGGS,

Governor's Deputy.

Enclosure in No. 22.

39

The Commission was able to make an examination of 200 newly arrived immi- grants who had reached Trinidad on the immigrant ship "Sutlej." Of these persons one hundred were found to carry infection, and the Commission would par- ticularly emphasize that efforts directed towards the eradication of ankylostomiasis in this Colony are not likely to be crowned with success unless the importation of fresh infection by each batch of immigrants is prevented.

I beg to remain, &c.,

C. G. H. CAMPBELL, M.B.,

43283

Acting Medical Officer in Charge.

No. 23.

WINDWARD ISLANDS: GRENADA.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

| | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Reference :-

C.O. 885

THE HONOURABLE

Ankylostomiasis Commission, Tunapuna, Trinidad, British West Indies,

8th June, 1915.

THE PROTECTOR OF IMMIGRANTS. SIR,

THE work of the Ankylostomiasis Commission in Trinidad is of especial importance in its bearing on the East Indian inhabitants of the island, who are to a very great extent infected with hookworm disease and whose habits of life and environments particularly favour the spread of infection. The Commission in the earlier months of its operations had two main objects in view-first. to stimulate public interest in this widespread disease and to disseminate such instruction as to its causation and evil effects as might lead to improvements in the sanitary habits of the rural population; and secondly, by establishing free dispensaries, to put suitable treatment within the reach of such infected persons as might choose to avail themselves of it.

The first of these objects has been attempted by means of lectures (in English and Hindi) to many and various audiences, and in especial to school children and their teachers, by distributing educational literature (some printed in the Hindi character) and endeavouring to enlist the interest of planters and estate managers.

The Commission believes that it is due in some part to its activities that the installation of sanitary latrines is now compulsory in all estates employing inden- tured labour. This was a reform grievously needed. In August last year latrines for the use of labourers living in barracks were hardly to be found on any estate (with a few honourable exceptions) in the island.

The Commission undertook the examination of all the indentured labourers In these a percentage of living in three of the largest estates in the Naparimas.

This infection of 94-23 per cent., 8264 per cent., and 9142 per cent. was found. heavy infection rate, of course, indicated a most unsatisfactory condition. In two of these estates treatment was put by the Commission at the disposal of all requiring it. On the third the District Medical Officer of the district undertook the treatment. From this Medical Officer we have recently heard that the result of treatment. (which was undertaken simultaneously with the provision of adequate latrine accommoda- tion) has been pre-eminently satisfactory. The estate was previously one of the least healthy in the island, but the average number of patients in the estate hospital has diminished since the reforms by two-thirds.

In the dispensaries established by the Commission 5,160 persons have received The office, treatment for hookworm disease; of these 3,366 were East Indians. laboratory, and main dispensary of the Commission were situated in San Fernando, and branch offices opened at Princes Town, Couva, St. Madeleine, and La Brea.

In all 10,360 persons (6,395 East Indians and 3,965 creoles) were examined in the laboratories, and it was found that 5,108 of the East Indians and 1,296 of creoles were infected.

* 24780: not printed. † Council Paper No. 102 of 1915; extract only printed.

(No. 127.)

SIR,

Downing Street, 18th October, 1915. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 91, of the 10th June,* relative to the question of the substitution of pit latrines for pan latrines throughout the schools of Grenada; and to inform you that I have caused the matter to be referred to the Director for the West Indies, International Health Commission, who has been good enough to furnish the memorandumt of which I enclose a copy.

2. In view of the consensus of opinion in favour of the pit type I consider its adoption in the schools to be very desirable; and I request that earnest consideration may be given to the question how far the funds at the disposal of the Grenada Government will allow of the replacement of the existing latrines by the approved type. If necessary the substitution may be made gradually, as circumstances admit, but should not be unduly delayed.

I have. &c.,

43283

No. 24.

A. BONAR LAW.

COLONIAL OFFICE to THE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION.

SIR,

Downing Street, 19th October, 1915. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Bonar Law to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th August, and to express his thanks to you for the memorandum which you have been so good as to furnish regarding the respective merits of pan and pit latrines in rural communities.

I am to enclose, for your information, a copy of a despatch§ on the subject which has been addressed to the Governor of the Windward Islands. Copies of your memorandum will also be sent to the other Colonies concerned for careful consideration.

I am, &c.,

H. J. READ,

for the Under-Secretary of State.

* No. 1.

Enclosure in No. 17.

No. 17.

§ Na. 28.

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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