CO885-9 — Page 299

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

CO. 885

9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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this day's date,* I have the honour to submit copy of a memorandum drawn up by Dr. Moffat on the points discussed at a meeting held by him and Dr. Bagshawe with Professor Minchin and the Officers of the Royal Society's Commission, after I had discussed with Professor Minchin the question of the removal of the labora- tory from its present site contiguous to the European Hospital.

Professor Minchin fully concurs with the views expressed in this memorandum. The question as to the desirability of removing the laboratory being settled, and Professor Minchin not approving of the proposal to locate it on an island, the next matter for consideration was the selection of a suitable site.

The position first selected by Professor Minchin was that marked in red on the accompanying sketch map. This had the serious disadvantage of being within- the military lines, and was considered by Dr. Moffat to be too near the Indian barracks and the European quarters. It is, moreover, on what would be the con- tinuation of the circular road round the military hill, and where eventually exten- sion of building might take place.

A better site is that, marked in green on the slope of a neighbouring hill, out- side the township and conveniently situated to the jail, a point on which the Royal Society's Commission lays stress.

Whilst Dr. Moffat would prefer to locate the laboratory outside the peninsula altogether, he does not feel called upon to raise any objection to this site if the Royal Society's Commission is satisfied with it, and I understand from Major Will, the Principal Medical Officer, that he agrees.

I consider the site marked red yery undesirable for the reasons already given; the site marked green offers, I think, the best solution of the difficulty, as Professor Minchin is not in favour of the island scheme. The latter site is outside the town- ship, and this of itself is an important matter; the Commission will have its own grounds, be self-contained, and be independent in a way which would not be possible were the laboratory located within the township area, and it will be within easy communication with Entebbe.

I submit a list of buildings that will be required, drawn up by the Superin- tendent of Public Works, after consultation with Professor Minchin. It is pro- bable that work will be carried on in this laboratory for years to come, and I am of opinion that we should face the initial expenditure required at once, and establish the Commission in its new site with proper buildings and all that is necessary to meet their requirements.

The ground itself belongs to a chief, but I anticipate no difficulty in obtaining possession, and a sum of about £40 will be sufficient to meet all claims.

SIR,

I have, &c.,

J. HAYES SADLER.

Enclosure 1 in No. 44.

Entebbe, Uganda, August 30, 1905. WITH reference to our conversation of yesterday's date, in which you requested me to consult with Professor Minchin and his colleagues in regard to the proposed removal of the laboratory, I have the honour to inform you that a meeting_was held to-day, attended by Professor Minchin, Messrs. Gray and Tulloch, Dr. Bag- shawe and myself.

The following points were discussed:-

1. Is the removal of the laboratory necessary or desirable?

Professor Minchin stated that he did not feel called upon to express an opinion on this question from the purely medical and sanitary point of view, but apart from this on other grounds be considered that the present site was disadvantageous and inadequate, and he would, therefore, recommend its removal from a hygienic stand- point; there was a consensus of medical opinion that the present position of the laboratory is not only a possible source of danger to the community, but that it constitutes an undoubted nuisance to the hospital and to the residents in the vicinity.

• No. 38.

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2. If the removal of the laboratory was decided upon, is it desirable that the new one should be located within the boundaries of the Entebbe township?

Professor Minchin and his colleagues stated that if a suitable site can be found they see no reason why the laboratory should not be placed within the township

area.

3. If the new laboratory is located in Entebbe will it be possible to carry on experiments in regard to treatment on a large scale?

Professor Minchin stated that the question of treatment did not come within the scope of his investigations, and that as far as his own experiments were con- cerned a small number of infected persons was quite sufficient, provided they were

under proper control. For his purposes, therefore, a few long-sentenced prisoners

suffering from trypanosomiasis would afford adequate material.

Messrs. Gray and Tulloch stated that the number of infected persons under control in Entebbe is not likely to supply sufficient material for experiment, on a large and efficient scale in regard to the effects of treatment.

4. The opinions of the members of the Commission were then asked for in regard to the so-called Island Scheme.

Professor Minchin stated that he saw an objection in placing the laboratory on an island, and that such a procedure would involve serious drawbacks without any compensating advantages, and in this opinion he was supported by Messrs. Gray and Tulloch. In regard to experiments in treatment on an island, he said that his general impression was, that unless administered under compulsion, such scheme was not likely to succeed. At the same time he pointed out that his opinion was based on a very slight acquaintance with the country and its people, and he was relying more on what he had heard from missionaries and others.

Mr. Tulloch agreed with Professor Minchin, but Mr. Gray saw no reason why this scheme should not be given a fair trial.

Dr. Bagshawe pointed out that the question was one which could only be solved by experiment, and that much would depend on the manner in which it was carried out; he further laid stress on the point that if this laboratory was not located on the island the natives would probably be more amenable to a system of treat- ment pure and simple, and there would be less risk of rousing their fears and prejudices.

The general opinions of the members of the Commission on these points may be thus summarized:-

site.

1. It is highly desirable that the laboratory should be removed from its present

2. There is no reason why it should not be located within the area of the Entebbe township if a suitable site can be found.

3. It is not desirable that it should be placed on an island.

4. Experience in treatment cannot be conducted on a large scale in Entebbe under existing circumstances even if the laboratory is moved to another site.

5. The question as to the feasibility of carrying out such experiments on an island is an extremely doubtful one, but the scheme is worthy of trial.

In conclusion I asked Professor Minchin and his colleagues to ascertain if there

are any suitable sites for the laboratory within the township of Entebbe, and suggested that they should select two or more alternative sites for approval.

I also asked him to draw up a memorandum showing what buildings would le required if this plan be adopted, and having done so to obtain a rough estimate of their cost from the Superintendent of Public Works Department.

His Majesty's Commissioner,

Entebbe.

I have, &c.,

R. U. MOFFAT, Senior Medical Officer.

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