7

Introduction

The Research Laboratories of the Gordon College, the equipment of which formed the generous gift of Mr. Henry S. Wellcome to the Sudan Government, are intended to serve the following purposes:—

a. To promote technical education.

b. lo promote the study, bacteriologically and physiologically, of tropical

disorders, especially the infective diseases of both man and beast peculiar Functions to the Sudan, and to render assistance to the officers of health, and to the of the clinics of the civil and military hospitals. Labo.ato,.

c. To aid experimental investigations in poisoning cases by the detection and

experimental determination of toxic agents, particularly the obscure

potent substances employed by the natives. d. To carry out such chemical and bacteriological tests in connection with

water, food stuffs, and health and sanitary matters as may be found desirable.

e. To undertake the testing and assaying of agricultural, mineral and other

substances of practical interest in the industrial development of the Sudan. The following report, embracing the period between Feb. 1st, 1903, and leb. 1st, 1904, will indicate in what measure and with what success the laboratories have been concerned with these divers subjects during the first few months of their existence, and it may be said at' once that practically every branch of them has claimed attention to a greater or less extent.

Having been appointed Director, and having spent some time in London discussing matters with Mr. Wellcome, and inspecting the equipment provided, which was in every way excellent, I finally arrived in Cairo on Dec. 24th, 1902, Avhere acting on advice received from Mr. Currie, Director of Education for the Sudan and Principal of the Gordon College, I remained for a period of nearly three weeks, during which time I had an opportunity of visiting the laboratories and hospitals and making myself acquainted with the prevalent types of disease and the special laboratory methods employed in hot climates. I was given every facility and help by members of the staff of the Kasr-El-Aini School of Medicine and the Egyptian Sanitary Department. Opportunity was also afforded one to become Laboratory acquainted with the future basis of supplies for the laboratories and to make assistant enquiries about an assistant. Mr. John Newlove was subsequently appointed to the post. Khartoum was reached on Jan. 22nd, 1903, and it was found that everything connected with the laboratories was in a very backward condition. The rooms were not nearly ready, much of the equipment had yet to arrive, and some of the furniture and fittings had been damaged in transit. It had been considered better to do very little until the Director was on the spot, probably the wisest course under the circumstances, though it rendered delay inevitable. Through the courtesy of Mr. Currie a room was provided for work while the laboratories were being got