INTRODUCTION 



rpHE First Eeport of these laboratories was issued in the autumn of 1904. It gave 

 an account of the work performed during the first year of the institution's existence, 

 tliat is to say down to the end of January, 1904. Since that period I think one can safely 

 say that the record has been one of steady progress. Such, at least, is the case regarding 

 the work performed. It has greatly increased botli in amount and variety but, fortunately, 

 additions to the stafi' have rendered it possible to cope with the routine duties, while some 

 eftbrts at research have also been made. 



In the First Eeport I foreshadowed the appointment of a chemist, and suggested that 

 a trained collector and observer with a roving commission in the Sudan, would constitute a 

 valuable addition to our forces and increase our knowledge of Tropical Pathology. 



The first post was in dxie course filled by the selection of Dr. William Beam, whose 

 reputation as a chemist is widely spread, and who is especially well versed in economic 

 chemistry. He commenced his duties on October 2nd, 1904, and there can be no doubt that 



Appointment 



his appointment has been amply justified. He has been kept constantly busy, and it is of a Chemist 

 gratifying that the chemical portion of this Report bulks so much more largely. A special 

 effort has been made to render the chemical research of as practical a nature as possible, as 

 it is believed this will best meet the needs of a rapidly developing country like the Sudan. 

 I would draw special attention to Dr. Beam's investigations on the river water of the 

 country, and on its grains and salts. Work on gums has also been commenced. 



Like Egypt, the Sudan depends for its prosperity chiefly on the Nile, or rather, the 

 Niles and their tributaries. Dr. Beam early began special analyses of the waters of the 

 Blue and White Niles, and at the request of H.E. The Governor-General, these investiga- 

 tions were ultimately extended to the waters of other rivers. They are not yet completed, 

 but a good start has been made and some interesting points have already been elucidated. 

 Again, the Sudan must in the future develop along agricultural lines, so that work on the 

 constitution of its cereals is of interest and of considerable importance. At present its gum 

 forests are the Sudan's chief asset and enquiry has shown that very little is really 

 known about gums. Dr. Beam's labours may yet serve to place the trade in this commodity 

 on a sound basis. It will, at any rate, probably demonstrate the excellence of several 

 varieties of Sudanese gum. There has been much general work on water, milk, food-stufts, 

 mineral deposits and natural products. It was a more difficult matter to fill the other post 

 but, thanks to Mr. Wellcome's munificence and the interest H.E. The Governor-General 

 took in the matter. Dr. Sheffield Neave was appointed under the title of Travellino- 



^ ^ c» .Appointment 



Pathologist and Naturalist. Although it has been impossible to retain Dr. Neave's services of a Travelling 

 for a second period of six months he has achieved a considerable amount of valuable work, ^aM°f'r'ii 

 often under very trying circumstances, during the short period at his disposal.* This 

 statement can be amply verified by a perusal of his appended Report. One of the chief 

 reasons which made me urge his appointment was the rapid spread of Sleeping Sickness 

 into the northern parts of Uganda, and the proximity of the Sudan to the Nile Province of 

 that country. This led one to fear that, if Glof^ina palpaUs existed on the Upper White 

 Nile in Sudan territory, the disease might spread and play havoc amongst the Baris, Dinkas 



• It is hoped that this division of the work will be continued at a later period. 



