IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1924, Page 4

IN THE SOUTH SEAS.

ISI.AXmaiS’ STKAXCiK ri’IAKS. SUVA, -May 5b Dr Lambert who lias been commissioned by the Western Pacific High Commission to survey all islands within its sphere of authority, has just returned from a visit to the Gilbert and Kllice Colony and Ocean Island. In an interesting interview, lie gave some of Iho results of his visit and survey. In the Gilbert Islands, Or Lambert found tile hookworm infection rate to be very low. running from o to MO per cent. This was partly cxplaioued by undergrowth, which, a> a rule, liarhours pollution. Through many generations the Gilbortese have lived in fear of magic being worked upon them by even a piece ol toenail, or portion of the clothing or a piece of their hair or even a piece f toenail, or portion of the food they have partly eaten. The dread of hostile magicians is manifested in another peculiar lorm of apprehension, and this has led to the adoption of a perfect system of sanitation, which is made possible by the proximity in the sea, of all portions of the island. So the rale of hookworm infection is so small in the Gilberts, whose people, who are of a Melano-Polyiie-iiin race, are afraid of magic ami evil spirits. .Magic has accomplished. in this case, what native customs could never have accomplished.

On the Kllice Islands, howc.-if, magic docs not hold sway. I hey arc more fertile and more thickly covered with undergrowth. The people worship the cult of the ancestor. AViih no restraining inlluence of magic there i> no cluck oil their sanitary habits, and thus a heavier rate of infection was present. For instance, on the Island of Funafuti, flic rate was 7vi per cent., which closely corresponds with the No per cent, reported by Or O’Connor, of the London School ol Tropical .Medicine, who, with much more lime at Ids disposal, very throughly surveyed the group.

On Ocean Island there are about SO white cmplovees and about til If) or 700 native or Chinese labourers. There arc also MOD native residents. The native name of Ov bland is I’anada. The infection here is somewhat simiI:to that on ilie Gilberts, viz., > per cent. Life on the island is pleasant. There ate tennis courts and swimming baths, although boating is very hazardous owing to the v'nngcrotis currents. About IS months ago Dr Hill, a friend am! a native went out in tt hunt when a sudden short storm cairn; down, the current caught the In a I and the natty were never seen again. The day lieforc ike Doctor arrived two men and a hoy weisi out fishing, but were never heard of any more. Fvideutlv boating in the waters of Ocean Island is best left alone. The Government will carrv on a vigorous campaign against the hookworm in till the groups, under the general direction of Dr Lambert, wltoso sin loss in Fiji with earhon to!t;o ' I iride lias mode him famous in fecliiti: ai llteratute. Tile effect of tlm < ampaigit it' Fiii is m:is| marked. Ihe labourers showing very marked improvement in physique and energy.