CO885-9 — Page 57

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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سلسالسا

Reference :-

885

9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

11242

SIR,

32

No. 55..

SIERRA LEONE.

GOVERNOR SIR C. A. KING-HARMAN to MR. LYTTELTON.

(No. 77.)

(Received March 29, 1904.)

Government House, Fort Thornton, Freetown,

Sierra Leone, March 9, 1904.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 35, of the 5th of February,* on the subject of Colonial contributions to a common fund for the carrying on of the investigations of malaria, &c.

2. The Legislative Council have willingly voted a contribution of £100 for the current year, and I think I can safely assure you that similar assistance can be counted upon from this Colony for the next four years.

11359

SIR,

No. 56.

I have, &c.,

MALTA.

C. A. KING-HARMAN,

WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received March 30, 1904.)

Governor.

your

War Office, London, S.W., March 29, 1904. I AM commanded by the Army Council to acknowledge the receipt of letters of the 8th February and 2nd March,† relative to the proposed Commission to investigate Malta Fever.

In reply I am to acquaint you that the Council concurs in the suggestion of the Royal Society to appoint an Advisory Board in this country to supervise the investi- gations, and agrees to the personal expenses of the Army representatives on the Com- mission being borne by Army Funds, together with a share of the general expenses which may fall on the three Departments concerned.

The Council has no objection to the officers to represent the Army being nomi- nated (subject to the approval of the Army Council) by the Royal Society.

It is presumed that the Government of Malta will be able to provide the necessary laboratory accommodation.

11456

No. 57.

I am, &c.,

E. W. D WARD.

SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER FOSBERY to MR. LYTTELTON.

(No. 77.)

SIR,

(Received March 30, 1904.)

Government House, Old Calabar, March 1, 1904. WITH reference to your despatch, General, of the 1st of January last, I regret the delay which has occurred in replying to Mr. Chamberlain's circular despatch of the 28th of May last, § dealing with malaria investigation, which has been studied with the greatest interest.

2. The inauguration of the Tropical School of Medicine, combined with the scheme for the education of medical officers in tropical diseases, marks, in my opinion, the most important step which in recent years has been taken to grapple with the chief obstacle which has to be overcome in the civilization of the western

‡ Not printed.

§ [Cd. 1598].

• No. 13.

† Nos. 18 and 35.

33

portion of this vast continent, namely, the climate; and in connection with this work to Dr. Manson, I think, is due the most grateful thanks of the West African Colonies.

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3. The importance of "segregation from the natives" is fully recognised by this Government, and was the main reason for the formulating of the European Reservation Proclamation, No. 16 of 1902. Dr. Hanley, C.M.G., Acting Principal Medical Officer, in his memorandum of the 24th ultimo, points to the absolute neces- sity of "segregation from native children in guarding against infection of Europeans.

4. The scheme for the drainage of Akassa, which I might state was elaborated by the Medical and Public Works Departments of this Protectorate, by direction of the High Commissioner, has proved an unqualified success, and to this work may be ascribed the improved state of health which has of recent years been enjoyed by the Europeans stationed there.

At Sapele, where the health record was very bad in years-gone by, most valuable work has been done by the Board of Health, with the advice and assistance of Dr. Darker, the District Medical Officer, the European reservation having been drained, bush cleared, &c., causing undoubtedly a great improvement in the general health.

The commercial community at this station, I should add, have taken great interest in this work. Most useful work has also been carried out at Bonny and Forcados, filling in swamps, clearing bush, draining, &c.

5. A fully-equipped laboratory is now available at Old Calabar for patho- logical research, and I have no doubt that the efforts of the medical staff in this direction will be of considerable value in the future.

6. You have, in your despatch, No. 459, of the 30th December last,* approved of the scheme providing for the employment of sisters of the Roman Catholic Mission in the Native Hospital at Old Calabar.

It is proposed to train native women as nurses under the supervision of these ladies.

7. Dr. Hanley, who has had many years' experience on the West Coast, in his memorandum enclosed, expresses himself favourably with regard to the regular taking of quinine as a preventive of malaria. I am in complete agreement with the Acting Principal Medical Officer on this point, and might add that for the last ten years I have been in the habit of taking five grains daily when on the coast, to which I put down the good health I have been fortunate enough to enjoy during this period. I am, however, of opinion that more attention might be given to making houses mosquito proof, or, at least, certain rooms, in stations where mosquitoes and other pests swarm. This could be done with a small additional expenditure.

8. I am of opinion that it is of the greatest importance that the scheme outlined in the last paragraph of Mr. Chamberlain's despatch of the 28th of Mayt should not be stagnated for the wants of funds, and that this Protectorate should share in making good the required provision.

I am,

&c.,

Enclosure in No. 57.

W. FOSBERY, Acting High Commissioner.

MEMORANDUM from Acting Principal Medical Officer, dated February 24, 1904.

I have read Mr. Chamberlain's circular and the report of Messrs. Stephens

and Christophers with great interest.

I consider the scheme for the education of medical officers in tropical diseases an excellent one, also the establishment of a reserve of medical officers. The latter

should prevent the long delays that have hitherto occurred in the filling up of `vacancies in medical department.

A most elaborate system of drainage is at present being carried out at Akassa. It has up to now been a most unqualified success. undoubtedly improved within recent years. Buildings are at present being erected The health of Akassa has with the object of segregating the European from the native.

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† [Cd. 1598.]

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