A,—4a.

2

Public Health. Infectious Diseases. The return given below does not include all cases of infectious diseases occurring in the Territory, but only those which have been reported by European Medical Officers. These, however, give an indication of the relative frequency of the various diseases enumerated, with the exception of whooping-cough, which was prevalent for the greater part of the year. Tetanus .. .. .. 4 Enteric (Para. B.) .. 6 Gonorrhoea .. . ..13 General tuberculosis .. 3 Leprosy .. .. 6 Tubercular peritonitis .. 1 Lobar pneumonia . . 72 Chicken-pox .. 11 T.B. broncho-pneumonia .. 1 Gastro-enteritis .. .. 2 Dysentery (shiga) .. 45 Pulmonary tuberculosis .. 14 Enteric (typhoid) .. .. 20 Influenza .. .. 4 Pertussis.. .. ..168 Total .. ..370 (a.) Whoofing-cough (Pertussis).—This disease made its appearance at the beginning of the year 1925, and spread slowly throughout the Territory. That it did not to any appreciable extent affect the death-rate during the first six months of the year is shown by the figures given under " Vital Statistics" ; but with the commencement of the unusually dry weather experienced from July onwards the number of deaths of infants markedly increased. The enteritis, which always becomes more prevalent amongst infants during dry weather, associated with whooping-cough or with debility following this condition, was, as far as can be estimated, the cause of the increased mortality. Whether whooping-cough was introduced at the end of the year 1924, or whether endemic whoopingcough became epidemic at that time, it is impossible to say definitely. Although very few cases have been seen in Samoa for some years, the disease is well known to the Natives, who call it tale umiiimi (the long cough). That it was introduced into Fiji about the same time that it made its appearance here indicates that it. was probably introduced to both countries from the same source overseas. (/>.) Ankylostomiasis.—Treatment for this condition was continued throughout the year, 15,613 treatments being given. It is now carried out at the same time as treatment for yaws, the travelling party giving treatment for yaws on the occasion of the first visit to each village, and the treatment for hookworm to those not receiving treatment for yaws, on the occasion of the second visit a week later. The third injection for yaws is given on the third visit, another week later. The present method of treatment is the same as that outlined in last report —Oil of chenopodium, 1 part; carbon tetrachloride, 3 parts. The dose is 2 minims to the year of age, with a maximum of 35 minims. During the year the film " Unhooking the Hookworm " was shown in every district in Samoa, and was seen by the great majority of the Natives. This was made possible by the obtaining of a small portable cinematograph outfit, a photograph of which is shown. Although the engine used was a very small one, weighing, with the generator, only 120 lb., the picture obtained was clear and large enough to be properly viewed by some hundreds of Natives each night. This year it is intended to show the life-history of the fly and of the mosquito, and so, by the eye as well as the ear, educate the Natives as to the necessity for cleanliness. (c.) Ascariasis. —This condition is very common in Western Samoa, especially in the young. In children over three years of age the oil of chenopodium given in the treatment of hookworm deals with this condition. Under the age of three years children are given Santonin, a drug which the Natives have now come to know and appreciate. Records of such treatments are not kept separate from the general treatments given in the various dispensaries and by travelling units, but the amount of drug issued from the central dispensary indicates that several thousand children are treated for this condition each year. (d.) Yaws (Framboesia tropica). —The systematic campaign against yaws, which was commenced at the beginning of the financial year in 1923, has resulted in a marked improvement in the general health of the Natives, especially the little children. The numbers of injections of Novarsenobillon given each year since the commencement of systematic treatment are : 1923-24, 32,366 injections ; 1924-25, 21,222 injections ; 1925-26, 12,012 injections. Since the whole of the Territory was not covered during the first year, the figures given do not show the differences between each complete treatment of the whole area. This is better shown as follows : First round —April, 1923-June, 1924—36,304 injections ; second round —July, 1924-March, 1925 —17,284- injections ; third round —April, 1925-March, 1926 —12,012 injections. In Appendix B will be found a note in continuation of an article on yaws published in last annual report. (e.) Dysentery. —In February of this year an outbreak of bacillary dysentery occurred in two villages in Savai'i, with a few cases in several other villages. Fortunately the steps taken to prevent it becoming epidemic were successful, at least for the time being, but sporadic cases are still occurring, and with the dry season approaching it will be necessary to keep careful watch to prevent it gaining a hold. (/.) Leprosy, —During the year seven lepers were transferred from Samoa to the Leper Asylum on the island of Makogai, Fiji. These consisted of two male and three female Samoans, and two male Solomon-Islanders. Of the'fifteen lepers mentioned in last year's report as being at Makogai, one Chinaman died, and one was discharged on parole.