INTRODUCTION 9 



ready, and considering everything it was not so veiy long before they were 

 completed. Material for examination in the shape of diseased dura plants and 

 pathological specimens were sent in thus early, and the laboratory work may be said 

 to date fi-om February 1st, 1903. Mr. Newlove arrived and took uji his duties on 

 April 1st, by which time the rooms were nearing completion and the nucleus oi a 

 museum had been formed. 



The laboratories, as at present constituted, consist of a suite of five rooms, i.e., a 

 kitchen for the preparation of culture media and for the general rough work, 

 separate bacteriological and chemical rooms, a chamber specially prepared as a , 



photographic dark room and cold storage room, and a museum room. Adjoining 

 these are the Director's office and the Economic and General Museum, with Avhich 

 the laboratories are associated. 



The whole department is situated on the second floor in the east wing of the 

 Gordon College. The rooms, though they unfortunately face the east, are large and 

 commodious, well lighted, and supphed with water fi'om a special well, and with gas 

 generated fi'om an acetylene plant. The woodwork and fittings are executed in 

 English oak and Indian teak, which had been pre^'iously baked at a high temperature 

 for several months to season them suitably for the Sudan climate. It is gratifying 

 to be able to repoi*t that aU the wood thus treated has passed through the ordeal of 

 a Khartoum summer very satisfactorily. The state of the walls, especially those 

 of the bacteriological room, leaves something to be desired, and there has been 

 considerable delay and annoyance owing to the lack of skiUed laboui-, the distance 

 fi'om supplies, and the difficulties of transport ; but when all is said and done the 

 laboratories have fared none so badly and have received much kind aid from many 

 government officials, both in Khartoum and Cairo. 



The museum of the laboratories has progressed steadily since its formation. It 

 is i^rimarily de^•oted to the collection and exliibition of specimens and photographs Museum 



. . of the 



shelving the diseases of man and animals met with in the Sudan, and maps indicating laboratories 

 their respective distribution. It now contains over a score of mounted specimens 

 illustrative of human pathologv and tropical diseases — those of mycetoma, so 

 prevalent in the Sudan, may be specially mentioned, several of veterinary interest, 

 a smaU collection of skulls, and what promises to be a very fine and complete set of 

 photographs iUusti-ative of the native diseases of the Sudan, taken by Mr. Tui-stig, 

 Omdurman, for Dr. J. B. Christopherson and kindly presented by the latter. 

 j\Ir. Newlove, Avho is responsible for most of the photogi-aphs illustrating the Report, 

 has also secured similar recoi'ds as opportunity offered. In addition to these exhibits 

 a collection has been made of the remedies indigenous to, or used in, the Sudan by the 

 native races. Over a hundred different drugs have been obtained fi-om various parts, 

 some of considerable interest, and to facilitate the study of those of vegetable origin 

 and of poisonous plants employed in the Sudan a plot of ground has been enclosed Formation of a 

 and what may be; called a "therapeutic garden " has been started. This garden is |^^'^j\'^p*""'" 

 fed from the laboratory well and contains a water-tight cement tank into which the 

 laboratories' waste-water is conducted. Thus, if necessary, the latter can be 



