, 1891-02-25
Mr.. President and Gentlemen,

D9Tt IN the inaugural meeting OI Inc Lee
ward ISlands Branch ofthe British Med5.ai
Association for believe much good mus
result 10 he Colony from the formation Of
this Branch Of the Association, aud that Is
must tend to bring the MemherS Ot the
Medical Profe< sion in Inc Colony into near
er touch with the Investigations which ara
f.. now being carried ON at home and in
other arts Of the world as to the 0Iigin and
cure of diseases, and into nearer touch win
the constant progress of surgery, which
with Increasing success alleViateS the Vast
woes 0fh0Inan suffering.
The diseases around you furnish ample
opportunity for careful aud patient enquiry
in fields Of investigation which are but
partly occupied, and l have no doubt, gem
tlemeh, that this Branch will win for itself
an h03Orable' lace amongst the various
Branches Of the Association and will ~
time goes on be able TO pOiub to as sterling
AID successful a work as any which may
be carried on ~ the Branches in different
parts Of the Empire.
None know better than yourselves the
wants of the people you are daily brought
into contact with them in their homes and
see them in their distress and pain and
move can know better than yourselves the
urgent need which exists to improve the
sanitation Of the country and the sur.
ToundingN 0fthe country and homes of lie
labouring classes. TOyO WHO are almost
All Government Medical Officers, TIM Colo
nial Government must look for ai8 ana as
%sistance IN carrying ont any TuCh x,
whlrh with every effort, can or.y be slow
an,i gradual. More than ono sixth of The
total Revenue of the Colony, is now cx-
pended on The maintenance Of the Govern
meHt Medical Service and the Government
Hospitals and ASylumS Ofthe Count Y, audi
ash yrrr - IN ,,ND IN. RBT- L-,AA p $50 nn
fully effective and beneficial as may be pos
slbie.
The Gov eminent are enGeavou:iig year
by year an funds are available to improve
the buildings of the Hospitals and A yluns
and 10 tram a staff Of skilled nurso8 ani
attendants. Classes are being established,
and It IL hoped that ladies of educatiOu aud
Tefnt neDt will be willing to qualify them-
selves for undertaking the charge of ards,
il relieved Cf mental work, for which att
ttndantJ would also e specially Grained.
The I 0loGlal Government are prepared
10 train and pay prObatloneIs OF both class
es il they agree to serve a stipulated time,
and it may fairly be hoped that a commence
ment is being made to improve the nursing
at the sick, Oh w hich so much often de-
ponds.
1t would be Of great advantage if some
record were kept. If cas-, 9 of interest oc-
curing III our Hospitals and ASylums or
IN Your Government practice; and if a
Committee of this Bianch will undertake.
20 carefully edit a record of eases, which
must be limited to matters of more than
usual interest, I will endeav0ur to have the
record periodically printed and published.
There are two disease now particularly
engaging attention. The disease of Yays,
as to which Her MaJesty's principal Secreta-
~ Of State has directed special inquiry and
has selected one of your nRmber, DR.. Nj.
cholls, 10 conduct the special investigation
both III these Islands and in the Windward
Islands, and in the Island OF Tobago. The
other disease is that Of Ltprosy, as to
Which you are well aware that q Leprosy
live stigation Committee has been formed
in England by the Executive Committee
Of the National 'Lepresy Fund, which
was originated by Fl. r. Ell. the Prince of
Wales. Is saaaa rsr
The disease of LeprosyI appears to an
uDprOfessional observerltO have taken q
different course in the different islands of
tire Colony. The circumstances OF the Is
lands are exceedingly similar, The points
OF differentiation are few and the very
smsllness of the Islands by limiting the
conditions would appear to be favourable
for an inquiry leading TO some results. I
ask you therefore as u Body to approach
Che Parent Association at. Home, with q
rpONoSf that Qifhnr kIo p,rnnf Acooost;o~