3

A.—4a

Samoan Cadets. —This scheme was inaugurated in August with four cadets. It is too early yet to say more than that these boys are enthusiastic in their work, and promise well for the future. The Chief Medical Officer is in communication with the heads of the various schools, with the idea of drawing our future students from these institutions. Chinese Department. —Nominally there is accommodation for thirty-six patients, but for some time tho average has been in the neighbourhood of sixty. Tt is possible that as the coolies ex " Ascot " become acclimatized the numbers may be reduced. Towards the end of this year arrangements were made with the Crown Estates to treat certain ailments on tho plantations. Pathological Department. —Tho laboratory building has been practically completed, but is not yet fully equipped. The work has been in charge of the Assistant Pathologist. Most of his time has been occupied in the examination of specimens for diagnostic purposes, and in this way he has been of great value to the Hospital. Dispensary. —The former office and anteroom have been converted into a dispensary and storeroom. This provides much-needed accommodation, and. when it is provided with suitable fittings will be quite satisfactory. Malagas. —During the year all parts of Western Samoa have been visited by. medical officers. The reports on those journeys showed that the health of tho islands generally was good. Lepers. —There are eleven known, lepers. It is expected that they will be removed in July to the well-equipped leper hospital maintained by the Government, of Fiji at Makogai. Buildings. —The mosquito-proofing of the European Hospital has been completed, and is greatly appreciated by all concerned. Six of the authorized new Native wards, although not quite completed, are sufficiently so to be usable, and are proving very valuable, although increasing the strain on the Sister in Charge, by adding to the number of buildings containing patients under her care. Tho isolation fales (Native houses) are nearing completion, but are not yet usable. Specietl Diseases. —The four outstanding diseases aro eye-diseases, yaws, ankyl, filariasis, and so far as their effect on the life-history of the people is concerned the Chief Medical Officer puts them in that order. A considerable amount of discussion is going on, both here and in England, regarding tho incidence and treatment of ankyl and filariasis, but little attention is given to the other two, although they have been put first in importance. From the Sainoans' point of view it is of the first importance that eye-diseases should receive special attention. Attendances. — 1921-22. 1920-21. General attendances .. .. .'. .. .. 6,072 1,140 European in-patients . . . . .. .. .. 190 158 Samoan in-patients .. .. .. .. .. 512 324 Chinese in-patients . . . . . . . . . , 641 388 Chinese out-patients .. .. .. .. .. 1,969 763 Major operations . . . . .. .. . . 144 110 Patients seen on malagas . . . . . . . . 1,936 Division of Public Hygiene. Administration. —The by-laws of the old municipality of Apia, and those of the former German Government of Western Samoa, were replaced by the Samoa Health Ordinance (No. 19, 1921), passed by the Legislative Council in November, 1921. This Ordinance is practically the same as the New Zealand Health Act, 1920, remodelled to suit local conditions. Quarantine, —During the period from the 25th May, 1921 (on which date the Medical Officer of Health commenced duty as Port Health Officer) to the 31st March, 1922, seventy-eight visits were made to ships entering the Port of Apia from overseas. In no case was it found necessary to refuse pratique. An analysis of the countries from which those ships sailed is given to indicate the extent of communications betweeu Samoa and other countries : New Zealand (direct), 2 ; (via Tonga or Fiji), 13 : New South Wales (direct), 2 ; (via Fiji), 2 : Peru, 3 : San Francisco, 4 : Swain's Island, 4 : Ellice Islands (via Pago Pago), 5 : Honolulu (via Pago Pago), 1 ; (direct), 1 : Tahiti (via Pago Pago), 1 : New Caledonia (via Pago Pago), I. : Hong Kong, 1 : Fiji, I : Pago Pago, 37. In August, 1921, influenza of a severe type was reported in Tonga, and in order to obviate the possibility of quarantine at Apia, the monthly mail-steamer from New Zealand made the round trip via Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga every month, instead of making the alternate trip via Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji every second month. This was continued until Tonga was reported clear. On the 6th October, 1921, the s.s. "Ascot," with 959 Chinese contract labourers, arrived from Hong Kong. Medical examination (carried out in association with three officers of the Clinical Division) resulted in the rejection of fourteen labourers. In October, 1921, the Port of Sydney was reported as being infected with plague, and immediate steps were taken to prevent its introduction into Western Samoa. The question of a new site for the quarantine station was discussed at the Faipulcs' fono in December, but was postponed for further discussion at the meeting to be held in June, 1922. Water-supply. —The reticulation of the Town of Apia is now nearing completion. As a result of representations made by this Department, an Ordinance (the Land for Water-supply Purposes Ordinance, No. 18, 1921) was passed by the Legislative Council in October. This Ordinance provides for the conservation of the catchment 'area of the water-supply, an area comprising 4,573 acres of hilly country covered with forest. During times of heavy rain the water contains a considerable amount of suspended organic material, and it will be necessary to take steps to remove this before Apia will be, assured of a satisfactory supply of water.