Medical and sanitary report / Government of the Gold Coast.

  • Gold Coast. Medical Department.
Date:
[1905]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical and sanitary report / Government of the Gold Coast. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/28 (page 6)
    The rainfall throughout part of the Colony has been below the average, and was the lowest for several years. Cold winds prevailed during the greater part of the year. 5.—GAOLS OF THE COLONY. The general health of the prisoners was very good in all the gaols. The deaths were as follows :— Accra ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Akuse ... ... ... ... ... ... — Cape Coast ... ... ... ... ... 2 Elmina ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 Saltpond ... ... ... ... ... — Sekondi... ... ... ... ... ... — Kumasi... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Total ... 18 The general sanitary condition of the different Prisons was on the whole very fair, and as good as could be expected, considering the nature of the buildings which, in most cases, are old Forts but ill-adapted for the purpose. A Central Prison is now being built at Sekondi, and will undoubtedly be of great benefit. The Prison at Accra has been enlarged and to some extent improved. The Medical Officers in charge of the various Prisons report as follows Accra.—The general health has been satisfactory. The quality of the diet very good. Water was somewhat scarce towards the end of the year. Ventilation of wards and cells satisfactory. Adda.—The health has been very good. Diet and drinking water good. Ventilation fair. Prisoners employed in repairing roads and general scavenging. Akuse.—The general health was very good throughout the year. Venti¬ lation of cells good. Diet and water very fair. Axim.—General health was very good during the year. Food very good ; water very good and plentiful. Ventilation of cells fair. The prisoners were employed at road repairing, carrying water, &c. Cape Coast.—Health good ; diet and drinking water good, but water somewhat scarce during the dry season. Prisoners employed at various work. Elmina.—Health very good ; food and water very good and sufficient. Ventilation of cells and wards poor. Prisoners employed for grinding corn, mat and basket making, and Public Works. Kumasi.—The health of the prisoners has been very good; very few serious cases occurring during the year. The majority of cases treated were ulcers acquired before admission to prison. The food supply was good, and the water excellent. The work performed is principally latrine work and road making. I believe an infirmary is to be built this year, which will be a great advantage.