TROPICAL MEDICINE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 116, 20 May 1925, Page 6

TROPICAL MEDICINE

SPLENDID RESULTS IN SAMOA

CAMPAIGN AGAINST YAWS AND

HOOKWORM.

: Independent testimony to the value o£ the work of the medical officers of the Health Department of Samoa was recently furnished in a report written by Dr. S. M. Lambert, M.D., of the International Health Board of the Rockefeller Foundation. Dr. Lambert is an expert in tropical diseases, and therefore praise from such a competent authority must carry the greatest weight.. His report was published iv "The Post" some months ago. Attached to a recent report of the Administrator of Samoa, General G. S. Richardson, there is a comprehensive health survey of Samoa by the Health Department of the mandated territory. A description of the activities of the Department is given by Dr. T. Russell Ritchie, Chief Medical Officer. His. report is a valuable one, giving details of the treatment of the principal diseases of the natives. • ■■-..-"

"The arrangement made at the beginning of 1923," says Dr. Ritchie, "whereby at the request of the natives, a yearly medical charge of £1 per adult male was imposed, and free treatment of all natives instituted, has proved a marked success. The natives' recognise the value of the new system, and make full use of the opportunities for treatment available: In addition, if has, enabled . the Administration to carry out systematic campaigns against yaws and. hookworm with satisfactory lesults." Dr. Ritchie says that the past year has been, from a health point of view, the most satisfactory one experienced for many years. The territory was singularly free from serious illness, or' evoi> minor epidemics. Successful campaigns have been carried out against yaws and hookworm. During five months 16,205 natives were treated for hookworm, and throughout the year the treatment of yaws has been attended with wonderful success, they regarding the cures as being quite miraculous. ,

In addition' to Dr. Ritchie's general health survey, there are reports by-Dr. J. S. Armstrong, resident medical officer; Dr: P. A. Buxton, of the expedition of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to Samoa (who deals with "The Control of Mosquitoes in Apia); Mr. G. H. E. Hopkins, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (who writes on hookworm treatment). • ■ . .