95 



Equally dangerous are the numerous pits remaining from disused 

 latrines. Those in use (in many cases overflowing) are dangerous 

 for other reasons, but not as breeding grounds for Anopheles. . 



There are a few deep pools which probably contain water during 

 the greater part of the dry season, and which harbour Anopheles 

 larvae ; these require to be filled up. 



I notice that some pits are being filled with the mixed assortment 

 of tins and bottles removed from houses. Broken bottles, or others, 

 are well adapted for filling in pits, but the use of tins is to be avoided 

 as the ground will certainly fall in. On these, as on other points, the 

 practical experience of the details gained by Dr. TAYLOR will be 

 invaluable in the next wet season. Opposite houses, I think, some 

 bridging of gutters should be done, as otherwise the edges of the 

 gutters are bound to fill in. 



Though I consider that you have already proved the practicability 

 of exterminating Anopheles in Sierra Leone during the wet season, the 

 work is at present incomplete, even in the streets in which most work 

 has been done ; and, I estimate, at the present rate of work, will still 

 be incomplete at the end of the wet season, when the work will be 

 entirely changed. During the dry season, in addition to dealing with 

 the new conditions which will then arise, the work already done 

 should be placed on a permanent footing. 



In the next wet season double the men, say one hundred, should 

 be employed, and two Europeans for supervision. One European, 

 even so able and energetic a man as Dr. LOGAN TAYLOR, barely 

 suffices for thorough supervision of the present work. 



I am aware that this will cost, apart from the expense of super- 

 vision, over ;ioo a month instead of the ^50 to ^60 which, including 

 the cost of labour provided locally, is now spent ; but it will be better 

 for one place to be done well, and that a difficult one to deal with, 

 than that partial measures be attempted in many places. 



The experiment is being so closely watched and criticized, that 

 failure, or only doubtful success, would be a disaster. 



I think, therefore, that it will be more to the true interests of West 

 African hygiene for attention and money to be concentrated on Sierra 

 Leone.* 



* There is no fear that our efforts will be abandoned before we have done as 

 much as we conceive it our duty to do. Original Note. 



