HC Deb 13 December 1911 vol 32 cc2350-1
Dr. CHAPPLE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the evidence that glossina morsitans is a carrier of the trypanosome of sleeping sickness is now sufficiently conclusive to justify him in so relaxing the severity of the game laws of Nyasaland as to permit of the natives hunting game known to harbour the trypanosome in their blood, in order that both the game and the infecting fly which invariably accompanies it may be driven off from the populous centres and the black and the European population and their domestic animals be protected from the spread of this disease?

Mr. HARCOURT

There is not yet sufficiently conclusive evidence to justify my taking the course suggested. A scientific commission under the direction of Colonel Sir David Bruce is now engaged in investigating in the Protectorate the relations between the fauna of the country, the tsetse fly, and the trypanosome, and, when definite results are reached, I shall not hesitate to adopt such measures as may be required. It must be remembered that domestic animals as well as game are suspected of being carriers of the trypanosome.

Dr. CHAPPLE

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that sleeping sickness in man and trypanosomiasis in domestic animals are spreading in Nyasaland, and that these are associated with the presence of game and tsetse around the populous centres?

Mr. HARCOURT

I have been in close communication with Dr. Kinghorn, and I am considering the matter very carefully. Whilst the Commission is inquiring into it I think I ought to be allowed to wait for their recommendations.

Dr. CHAPPLE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the meantime sleeping sickness is spreading very rapidly in Nyasaland and that Professor Koch recommended that the game be driven back from populous centres because of the danger to natives and domestic animals from the proximity of game and infective tsetse, and is it not a fact that Dr. King-horn has experimentally inoculated susceptible animals with trypanosomiasis from the bite of infected glossina morsitons, the tsetse fly of Nyasaland?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member can hardly expect the Secretary of State for the Colonies to answer those matters without notice.

Dr. CHAPPLE

I beg to give notice that on the Motion for Adjournment to-night I shall raise the question.