Annual report on the Medical Department / Sierra Leone.

  • Sierra Leone. Medical Department.
Date:
[1905]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on the Medical Department / Sierra Leone. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/38 (page 8)
    carried on from one rainy season to another, and stated that they were being dealt with by the formation of a central channel. On my return from leave, I found that this had been carried out along the greater part of Sanders Brook with most satisfactory results. Where formerly the water was spread out and formed a number of shallow pools in the hollows of the rock, in all of which Anopheles could be found, it is now collected in a central channel, and Anopheles are entirely absent. The other streams are now being taken in hand, and this work must be looked upon, so far as mosquito-borne diseases are concerned, as one of the most important which has yet been undertaken in connection with the sanitation of Freetown. Prevention of malaria and anti-mosquito measures. Improvement in the street drains. Mosquito- proof houses. Use of the mosquito net and the habitual use of quinine. Segregation. Instructions in Hygiene and Sanita¬ tion. PREVENTION OF MALARIA AND ANTI-MOSQUITO MEASURES. The paragraph given above deals with a most important improvement which has been effected, and a second equally important one which will affect the town generally is the inclusion in the new Sanitary Ordinance of a clause making it a punishable offence to have collections of water con¬ taining mosquito larvae in a yard. This, if strictly enforced, will do much to diminish the supply of mosquitoes in the city, but it will have to be carried out with the utmost persistence, for the older natives are absolutely apathetic as to the dangers of mosquitoes, and it is useless to expect them to take any steps of their own accord. The improvement in the street drains is undoubtedly diminishing the number of breeding places. The mosquito-proof houses have been of great benefit, and everyone who has to live in town should be provided with one. The use of the mosquito-net and the habitual use of quinine is becoming more universal. With reference to the latter, my experience shows that on the whole five grains a day is the best form, and the one which is most likely to be adhered to. It is best taken in the early part of the day, just before the 11 o’clock breakfast, and in very few cases does it result in gastric disturbance. I have made a point of ascertaining from those about to proceed on leave their habits with reference to taking quinine, and I have found that almost without excep¬ tion those individuals who have been in the habit of taking a daily dose of quinine have suffered to a very slight extent or not at all from malarial fever. Segregation.—The bungalows are now complete, and the health of those who are fortunate enough to reside there has been very satisfactory. One or two cases of malarial fever have occurred there, but these have been invariably in officers who have been recently in the Protectorate, and I am not aware of any case being acquired in the cantonment. It is much to be regretted that no European firm has yet seen its way to build a residence for their employes at Hill Station, though a large and desirable site has been reserved for them. It is to be hoped that this reluctance will soon be overcome. Instructions in Hygiene and Sanitation.—No course of lectures was delivered in 1905, but the subject is being taken up in the schools, and prizes will be awarded for instructions in Sanitation. An illustrated handbook on the subject is now in the printer’s hands. This is a most important step, for it is to the rising generation to whom we look for sanitary progress.