HEALTH AND POPULATION 57 1 



earths, but such additions to diet could be provided in more 

 effective and hygienic forms by the nearest dispensary. 



The work of Sir Albert and Lady Cook in Uganda has done 

 much to improve female education by providing an outlet for 

 trained girls in nursing and midwifery. The importance of the 

 co-operation of all departments in measures to improve the 

 general standard of life, which has been frequently emphasized 

 in this volume, is now widely recognized. One might quote in 

 illustration of this point a paragraph by Dr. Williams, Director 

 of Medical and Sanitary Services in his annual report for 1933 

 (p. 17): Tt is interesting to note that in the report of the recent 

 survey undertaken by the Agricultural Department the impor- 

 tance of co-operation between that department and the Medical 

 Department is emphasized and there is no doubt that the measures 

 to be adopted in endeavouring to secure a diminution in the 

 incidence of disease are those measures which are directed towards 

 raising the standard of living and to the improvement of the 

 methods of agriculture and stock raising. Such measures to be 

 effective require the co-operation and co-ordination of four depart- 

 ments in particular, viz. the Agricultural, the Medical, the 

 Educational, and Veterinary. Much may be accomplished with- 

 out any great expenditure of funds by these departments working 

 in harmony and unison under the aegis of a keen and capable 

 administration.' 



In another part of the report (pp. 29-31) Dr. Williams outlines 

 a scheme for co-operation between the departments to promote 

 prosperity among rural natives. It includes improvement in 

 agricultural methods, stock, water-supplies, communications, 

 afforestation (the action of the Nyasaland forest department in 

 establishing village forests has been mentioned in Chapter VII), 

 the provision of schools for girls and women, public health and 

 medical work, and propaganda by native teachers, dispensers, 

 and sanitary staff. 



FOOD AND NUTRITION 



The conclusion that the improvement of health in Africa is 

 largely a question of better food supplies reflects the general 



