Annual report of the Medical and Sanitary Department / Sierra Leone.

  • Sierra Leone. Medical and Sanitary Department
Date:
[1928]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Medical and Sanitary Department / Sierra Leone. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    39/146 (page 17)
    Up to the present information as to the prevalence of leprosy in Sierra Leone has been limited, hnt, in view of Professor Blacklock’s report, it must now be considered to be a disease of great importance involving a problem which will have to be dealt with. As Professor Blacklock says in his report—“although it would be premature to endeavour to assess the total amount of leprosy existing, it is clear that the number of lepers must be very large. Cerebrospinal Fever.—Two cases of cerebro-spinal fever with one death were notified from Musumbu near Makeni. The last time this disease was reported in Sierra Leone was a single case from Pujehun in 1 923. (c) Helminthic Diseases. Tania Saginata.—Two hundred and thirty cases were treated during the year. Ankylostomiasis.—Ankylostomiasis is exceedingly common throughout the Protectorate, but the infection does not, as a rule, give rise to severe symptoms. Schistosomiasis (S. Hamatobium).—Sixty-nine cases in all were reported from the Protectorate, mostly from the Kono District, and a few from Bo School. Anti-physopsis measures continue to be undertaken in the chief towns in the Kono District and progress in this direction was satisfactory. 2—General Measures of Sanitation. Sewage Disposal.—The methods of sewage disposal remain the same as described in the Annual Report for 1927. Two new public latrines were erected during the year, the pail system being used in each case. Scavenging and Refuse Disposal.—As in 1927, household refuse is deposited in public dust-bins, which are emptied daily by means of motor-lorries. The refuse is dumped at the Refuse Disposal Wharf at the east end of the town and thence conveyed by tug and lighters to a point out at sea, where there is no likelihood of it being washed ashore. The readily combustible refuse is first incinerated in a large new “ drying-hearth ” incinerator which deals with 1—2 tons at one filling. The new tug “ Vulture ” and two hopper lighters were put into commission early in the year and the scheme has worked smoothly and well. 10,327 lorry loads of refuse, including tins and bottles, etc., were taken to the disposal wharf and 499 lighter loads were dumped out at sea at a spot chosen by the Harbour-master. The erection of a second new incinerator with drying hearth and lined with fire brick was commenced during the last quarter of the year and it is hoped that it will be ready for use early in 1929. This incinerator will deal with 5—6 tons of refuse at one filling. Eighteen new type rat-proof refuse bins were erected during the year, bringing the total up to thirty. It is proposed to continue the erection of these refuse bins until all the old ones are replaced. A series of photographs will be found in the report illustrating the old and new methods of refuse collection and disposal. Drainage.—The following drainage work was carried out in I reetown by the Public Health Engineer :— (1) New Concrete Drains.—Fourah Bay Road to Kennedy Street to Savage Square, Lower Walpole Street, eastern side. Wilberforce Street to Westmoreland Street to Water Street. Oxford Street to Percival Street to Waterloo Street. Little East Street including 14-inch culverts. Oxford Street to Charlotte Street to George Street, with 18-inch culverts.