134 



form of infection is more widely distributed than was supposed, 

 and in view of the possible transmission of the parasite to man by 

 G. morsitans and the invariably fatal disease following, experiments 

 were conducted with remedies for which success had been claimed by 

 workers in European laboratories. Antimony oxide proved very 

 disappointing, while the use of tartar emetic, though beneficial, was 

 difficult of application and liable to cause local injuries in the animals 

 treated with. it. 



Report of Committee of Enquiry on African Coast Fever, Quarter-Evil 

 and Epizootic Diseases of Cattle. — Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, 

 26th October 1917, 38 pp. [Received 20th May 1918.] 



One of the chief objects of the Committee was to investigate and 

 report upon the origin and circumstances attending recent outbreaks 

 of African coast fever, but the Commissioners were unable to establish 

 anything approaching definite proof as to their cause. The question 

 of adequate measures to prevent and suppress the disease resolved 

 itself mainly into tick eradication by enforcement of dipping regula- 

 tions with dips maintained at efficient strength. It was unanimously 

 agreed that the adoption of general dipping would be of the greatest 

 advantage. Consideration was given to the best methods of main- 

 taining dips at the necessary strength for kiUing the transmitting 

 agents of African coast fever. Dipping at seven-day intervals was 

 believed to be sufficient to kill off all ticks that are vectors of the disease. 

 The means of providing financial help for the erection of dipping 

 tanks were discussed, together with the fees to be levied on natives for 

 their use. An Ordinance was proposed in which it was recommended 

 that all owners of cattle in areas in which the " Compulsory Dipping 

 Ordinance of 1914 " is in force, and from and after a date to be fixed 

 by the administrator, all owners of cattle in areas other than tem- 

 porarily exempted native reserves should be required to clean their 

 cattle. A scale of penalties for being in possession of tick-infested 

 cattle is laid down. 



In an appended report by L. E. W. Bevan, Government Veterinary 

 Bacteriologist, the necessity for veterinary research in Southern 

 Rhodesia is urged. It is pointed out that as the future prosperity 

 of Rhodesia is considered to depend chiefly upon the progress of the 

 pastoral industry, the present state of affairs in this respect is very 

 unsatisfactory, owing to epizootics such as African coast fever and 

 others, that have decimated the herds. Research on these problems 

 is an unquestionable necessity, and the authorities should be on 

 their guard against importing disease from the outside. 



Jack (R. W.). Tsetse Fly Investigations : Visit to Melsetter District 

 and Portuguese East Africa. — MS. from Colonial Office, dated 

 21st January 1918. [Received 13th June 1918.] 



This paper records observations made in the course of a journey 

 undertaken to determine the incidence of tsetse-fly in relation to 

 trypanosomiasis among cattle in the Melsetter District and Portuguese 

 East Africa. A belt of tsetse-fly, in which Glossina brevipalpis, Newst., 

 and G. pallklipes, Aust., occur, extends along the border in Portuguese 

 territory from about 10 miles south of Spungabera to the Lusitu 



