Introduction 



The Research Laboratories of the Gordon College, the equipment of which foi-med 

 the generous gifti of Mr. Henry S. Wellcome to the Sudan Government, are intended 

 to serve the following purposes : — 



a. To promote technical education. 



li. To promote the study, bacteriologically and physiologically, of tropical 



disorders, especially the infective diseases of both man and beast peculiar Functions 

 to the Sudan, and to render assistance to the officers of health, and to the °'^''"' . . 



' " Laboratories 



clinics of the civil and military hospitals. 



c. To aid experimental in\'estigations in poisoning cases by the detection and 



experimental determination of toxic agents, particidarly the obscui'e 

 potent substances employed by the natives. 



d. To cany out such chemical and bacteriological tests in connection Avith 



water, food stuffs, and health and sanitary matters as may be found desirable. 



e. To undertake the testing and assaying of agi'icultural, mineral and other 



substances of practical interest in the industrial development of the Sudan. 



The foUo-\ving report, embracing the period between Feb. 1st, 1903, and 

 Feb. 1st, 1904, mil indicate in what measure and AX'ith what success the laboi-atories 

 have been concerned -with these divers subjects during the first few months of their 

 existence, and it may be said at once that practically every branch of them has 

 claimed attention to a greater or less extent. 



Having been appointed Director, and having spent some time in London 

 discussing matters "with j\Ir. Wellcome, and inspecting the equipment pro\ided, which 

 was in every way excellent, I finally aiTived in Cairo on Dec. 24th, 1902, where 

 acting on advice received from Mr. Cun-ie, Dij-ector of Education for the Sudan 

 and Principal of the Gordon College, I remained for a period of nearly three 

 weeks, during whicli time I had an opportunity of visiting the laboratories and 

 hospitals and making myself acquainted with the prevalent types of disease and the 

 special laboratory methods employed in hot climates. I was given every facility 

 and help by members of the staff of the Kasr-El-Aini School of Medicine and the 

 Egyptian Sanitary Department. Opportunity was also afforded one to become Laboratory 

 acquainted mth the future basis of supplies for the laboratories and to make 

 enquiries about an assistant. Mv. John Newlove was subsequently appointed to the 

 post. Khartoxun was reached on Jan. 22nd, 1903, and it was found that everything 

 connected -with the laboratories was in a very backward condition. The rooms were 

 not nearly ready, much of the equipment had yet to annve, and some of the 

 furniture and fittings had been damao;ed in transit. It had been considered better 

 to do very little until the Director was on the spot, probably the wisest com*se under 

 the circumstances, though it rendered delay inevitable. Through the courtesy of 

 Mr. Currie a room was provided for work while the laboratories were being got 



