20 
INTKODUCTION 
The 
Laboratory 
steamer 
A suggestion 
for the teaching 
of Tropical 
Medicine 
A marine 
floating 
laboratory 
'I'he Challenger 
Expedition 
considerations, will I'orm a convenient lialiitation for workers in the laliuratury. The latter 
can accommodate six workers with ease, and 1 fully expect will add yearly to our museum 
valuable and well-[)reserved collections illustrative of every branch of tro[)ical jiathology. 
Indeed, I may perhaps be pardoned if I here state my conviction, already recorded 
elsewhere, that in the teaching of Tropical IMediciue in (treat Britain what may be called a 
marine lloating laboratory would be of the utmost service. Every year I am inundated by 
appeals for material for teaching purposes from England, Scotland, Ireland, the T'nited States 
and various parts of the (Juntinent. It is noteworthv that amongst the institutions which 
apply are the two great English Schools of Tropical IMedicine at London and Liverpool, and 
it is evident that even the latter school, despite its numerous and valuable research 
expeditions, cannot obtain all it reijuires for the instruction of its students; hence I believe 
the dilHculty might be solved by the provision of a well-equipped laboratory on board a 
vessel of from SOU to lUUO tons burthen. Such a ship would be able to visit any portion of 
the globe, could ascend large navigable rivers and would be the means of bringing back 
a store of most valuable material both fur museum and teaching purposes. It would be the 
duty of whoever was })laced in charge to conduct abroad the Iiest students in Tropical 
IMedicine of any year. Participation iii such au expedition would be the prize of diligence 
and ability, and in such a laboratory both tutorial and research work could be conducted 
during the voyage. Doubtless a certain nuud)er of graduates would welcome the opportunity 
for such a course of study, as opportunities would be atfurdeil for visiting tropical hospitals 
and laboratories in dift'erent countries. If properly a])proached I believe those in charge of 
such institutions would be glad to assist in every possible way, and they might be repaid by 
demonstrations of new technique and interesting specimens. These institutions are often in 
cities on or near the sea, as tor example Calcutta, Bombay or IMadras, Cairo, Alexandria or 
Leopoldville, Hong Kong, Uio de Janeiro, Jlanila, and so on. It is on the littorals of tropical 
countries that dengue, yellow' fever and other important diseases occur, and in the event of 
epidemics, the infected places might be speedily visited and perlnqjs materially aided and 
benefited, wliile at all times the collection of specimens bearing on Tropical Medicine would 
form a most important duty. Specimens could be. brought back' in good comlitioii, diseases 
studied on the s[iot and i)arasites, especially blood parasites, observed in a living state. It 
will be at once apparent that such a laboratory ship could be utilised for the study of 
zoology, especially economic entomology, botany, geology and hygiene, all subjects more 
or less intimately connected with Tropical IMedicine. 
I'he Challenger Exjiedition is still remend)ered. This scheme would provide for a kiinl 
of pm'petual Challenger, and would, I think, challenge comparison favourably with any 
existing method of giving instruction in diseases of the Tro(>ius. It seems to me that it is 
largely a (pie.stion of money, for difficulties as regards stability at sea, which are important 
in connection with microscopic and other delicate work, might possibly be surmounted by tlie 
application of the })riuciples of the gyroscope. I commend this idea to the consideration of 
those responsible for the teaching of Tropical Meilic.ine to students in temperate climates. 
Dr. Wenyon’s report will be found full of interest. He has, I believe, had almost 
unrivalled opportunities, and he has known how to make the very best use of them. Indeed, 
it would almost seem as though the floating laboratory had a s|)ecial attraction for objects 
associated with Trui)ical Jlediciue. Du the initial triji the number of Tahanidw which boarded 
the bai’ge was quite phenomenal. They swarmed into the laboratory and sunned themselves 
upon the wire-netting of the windows. Tahanm sodas w'as specially in evidence, and in a 
