Annual medical report / Southern Nigeria.

  • Nigeria, Southern. Medical Department.
Date:
[1906]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual medical report / Southern Nigeria. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/30 (page 292)
    The clearing of bush and long grass is a tedious and expensive matter, but as long as it exists along the approaches to the Station a nuisance must be the result. There was a great improvement in the Construction Camps and its surroundings but I was rather disappointed to see the Clerks Quarters still there. I believe in 1905 I laid particular stress on the danger to the European Staff the close proximity of these buildings. As soon as they are removed one might safely consider the Railway Camp one of the best in this Province. Water was being laid on from a large tank and an abundant supply was expected. The well was situated far from all source of pollution and I trust by now it has been enclosed by an unclimbable fence with a radius of at least 20 yards from the well centre. The Town Dispensary was doing good work, the average daily attendance was then about 54 The natives seem to be placing much confidence in the European methods of treatment. I did not see much of the Town itself but the little I did see showed it to be kept in a most sanitary state, The Medical Officer informed me that more was being done to keep it clean than formerly. Some wells have also been sunk. I took over the Base Hospital as completed and the necessary equipment has been supplied. It was opened for the reception of patients on January 1st, 1907. An Out-patient Department was started also. The 2nd Medical Officer at Ibadan was thus detailed for duty with the Jebba- Zungeru Survey Party. In order to centralise the out-patient work for the Medical Officer, who has long distances to travel, I made arrangement for the abolition of the Barrack and Construc¬ tion Dispensaries. These are now merged into one at the Hospital. I do not think much inconvenience is caused thereby to the sick of the Southern «/ Nigeria Regiment. A very much needed want is now being supplied in the shape of a small Native Hospital. It will relieve a good deal of suffering which was undoubtedly inflicted by the long railway journey to Lagos Hospital of those who required Hospital treatment. I noticed a good deal of improvement in the sanitary condition of the Railway Stations. Improvements take time to carry out, and cost money but I trust all these will be included in building the new stations on the Extension. I visited Epe, Jebu Ode and Shagamu at Christmas. At Epe the Hospital was doing all the work it could get and it seems to be appre¬ ciated by the people. New Police Barracks were being erected behind the Prison and at a distance of about 200 vards from the District Commissioner’s house. I explained my ideas to the Commissioner about latrines, cooking and washing places. The latrine ought to be a built structure of the same type as at Ibadan Barracks and situated at the end of a “ blind ” pathway. Cooking and washing places need only be palmleaf structures, each detachment erecting its own. At Jebu Ode, Vaccination was being successfully carried. At Shagamu, the Medical Officer had been removed as a temporary measure only. Trivial dressings were being attended to by the Vaccinator. At Ikorodu, a Vaccinator was stationed for it and the surrounding District. The above three Stations were receiving regular and urgent visits from the Medical Officer at Epe. 4- Medical Officer was detailed for Ondo on February Gth.