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No. 208.

166

3. I enclose a copy of a minute by the Surgeon-General to whom I referred your despatch.

I have, &c.,

F. M. HODGSON.

167

but that before communicating with the Colonial Government upon this subject he would be glad to receive particulars of the manner in which it is contemplated that the Expedition should proceed in its work.

I am, &c.,

R. L. ANTROBUS.

Enclosure in No. 205.

34565

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

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

9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON |

The SURGEON-GENERAL to the GOVERNMENT SECRETARY.

HON. GOVERNMENT SECRETARY,

February 23, 1906. I AM in sympathy with the proposal, but as far as this Colony is concerned we have just gone to the expense of providing a Bacteriologist and it will naturally take time before we shall reap the benefits of his labours and advice; and I am sure that he will be much better able to give valuable and material assistance to such a Commission as is contemplated in a couple of years time than he is at present. I, therefore, cannot advise that this Colony should take any further action or incur any more expense-at present.

33022

No. 206.

J. E. GODFREY.

THE LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE to COLONIAL

SIR,

OFFICE.

(Received September 6, 1906.)

[Answered by No. 207.}

Blackwater Fever Expedition.

B 10, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, September 4, 1906.

I HAVE the honour to inform you that His Excellency the Governor of Southern Nigeria, on the occasion of his recent visit to Liverpool, expressed the wish that the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine should send an expedition to West Africa to study blackwater fever, in view of the number of deaths of Europeans resulting from the disease.

The School have decided to despatch such an expedition, and money is now being collected for the purpose.

am to ask whether His Majesty's Government will contribute towards the expenses of the Expedition, to the extent of defraying one-half of the same, provided the total sum to be contributed by the Government does not exceed £1,000.

The School venture to hope that this request will be granted in view of the immense importance of the subject to the various West African Colonies.

It is proposed to despatch the Expedition early in November if the money required can be raised by that time.

I have, &c.,

ALFRED L. JONES,

33022

SIR,

Chairman.

COLONIAL OFFICE to THE LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF TROPICAL

No. 207.

MEDICINE.

[Answered by No. 208.]

your

letter

Downing Street, September 11, 1906. I AM directed by the Earl of Elgin to acknowledge the receipt of of the 4th of September, on the subject of the Expedition which the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine propose to despatch to West Africa in connexion with the study of blackwater fever.

2. I am to inform you that Lord Elgin is disposed to approve of the Govern- ment of the West African Colonies contributing to the expenses of the Expedition,

• No. 206.

THE LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

SIR,

(Received September 18, 1906.)

[Answered by No. 209.]

B 10, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, September 17, 1906.

Blackwater Fever Expedition.

I HAVE to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 11th September, No. 33022/ 1906,* on the subject of the Blackwater Fever Expedition which the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine propose to despatch to West Africa.

The School note with satisfaction that His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies is disposed to approve of the Governments of the West African Colonies contributing to the expenses of the Expedition.

In reply to the request contained in the last paragraph of your letter, I have the honour to give a brief outline of some particulars regarding the Expedition in question.

I. NATURE OF RESEARCH.

To ascertain the nature of blackwater fever, and determine, if possible, its relationship to malarial fever.

For this purpose it is necessary that the investigation should be divided into two parts, viz. :—

(a) 1. Careful investigation into the blood changes in blackwater fever;

2. Bio-chemical study of the urine in blackwater and malaria.

(For both of these investigations it is essential that the services of

a first-class scientific observer be engaged.)

(b) Careful investigation, if found to be feasible, of the distribution and re-

currence of blackwater fever in various districts.

For the first portion of the investigations it is proposed to secure the services of

Dr. Anton Breinl, who has already had great experience in scientific research, especi- ally in connection with the blood in yellow fever, trypanosomiasis, spirillum fever, and malaria.

Dr. Anton Breinl has for a considerable time been actively engaged in the researches of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine; and is fully conversant with work both in tropical countries, and in the laboratories of the School. The Committee of the School can place complete reliance upon his ability to carry out satisfactorily the details of scientific investigation of the Expedition.

For the second portion of the investigations, it will be necessary to secure the services of a well-trained medical investigator to co-operate with Dr. Breinl, and the School are confident of being able to make a suitable selection.

2. LOCALITY.

The district to which the Expedition would proceed in the first instance would be settled in conjunction with the Governors of the various British West African Colonies, and an effort would be made to select a region where blackwater fever has shown signs of being recurrent. The Expedition, however, would be ready to pro-

ceed to any given spot, within range, where blackwater fever should appear. It might be found advisable to despatch the Expedition to British Central Africa, Uganda, or British East Africa, but at present West Africa appears to offer the most suitable field for the Expedition.

• No. 207.