A.—4a

a Samoan ; and we think that it would be a crime to remove that immunity at the present time. By the time that the present children reach adolescence it is hoped that syphilis will have very largely been brought under control by the European races, so that the chance of its introduction will be very much less, and, even if introduced, the population will bo under more close medical supervision, so that any outbreak would be quickly reported and controlled. Conclusions. 1. That in the treatment of yaws, with a view to eradicating the disease, some system of free injections for the patients is essential. 2. That the system of three injections which we practise does not entirely destroy the immunity conferred by an attack of yaws. 3. That at present it is desirable to maintain a certain amount of immunity in the population of Samoa to prevent the introduction of syphilis. 4. That the system of three injections prevents a large amount of the sickness and disability in the Samoan population from yaws, although a small proportion of the cases still relapse, but this is preferable to a more thorough treatment which might remove the patients' immunity and allow of reinfection. 5. That Samoans can readily be trained to administer this treatment, and it has proved to be a safe remedy in their hands. APPENDIX C. LEPROSY IN WESTERN SAMOA. Answer to Questionnaire of the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association, of Date January, 1924. 1. Name of country or area dealt with : The Mandated Territory of Western Samoa. (a.) Area in square miles : 1,133 square miles. (b.) Population by race or religion and its distribution : (1.) Population by Race. Census, Estimated, 1921. December, 1923. Europeans (including half-castes) .. .. .. 2,026 2,124 Samoans .. . . .. . . .. 32,601 33,800 Chinese* .. .. . . . . .. 1,597 967 Solomon Island and Polynesian labourers .. .. 465 208 (2.) Population by Religion (1921 Census). Native adherents London Missionary Society (Protestant) .. .. 21,225 Native adherents Wesleyan Methodist Mission .. .. .. .. 5,806 Native adherents Roman Catholic .. .. .. .. .. 5,284 Native adherents Mormon Mission . . .. .. ~ .. 634 Native adherents Adventists .. .. .. .. .. 4 32,953f (3.) Distribution. As the interior in both islands is mountainous, there are very few inland villages. The Natives live in coast villages scattered round both islands. (c.) Climate and other relevant facts : The following quotation is taken from a brief resume of the meteorological work of the Apia Observatory : — "The annual rainfall at Mulinu'u for the past twenty years is 107-9 in. The driest year was in 1905, when the rainfall was 65-2 in ; and the year with the greatest rainfall was in 1908, with 172-8 in. January is the rainiest month of the year, with an average of twenty-one days with rain, and a precipitation of 16-5 in. July is the driest month, with twelve rainy days, and a precipitation of 2-8 in. In the wet season, from November to April inclusive, 75 per cent, of the rainfall occurs. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the time of day when rain is most probable. On account of the mountainous character of Samoa, the rainfall varies widely from point to point. In Apia, in the neighbourhood of the Casino the rainfall is 10 per cent, less than at the Observatory. Farther east the rainfall increases. In general, the south coast of both Upolu and Savai'i receives one-third more rain than the north coast. The rainfall in the interior increases about 5i per cent, for every increase of 100 ft. in altitude. Thus Afiamalu, with an altitude of 2,000 ft., has a rainfall almost twice as great as Apia. In the interior of Savai'i, where the mountains reach a height of 5,000 ft., the rainfall exceeds 250 in. a year. About thirty thunderstorms occur each year, largely in the wet season.

* Number decreasing through repatriation. In 1914 number was 2,560. t Slightly over estimated population. (32,601).

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