18

The disease in the White Nile Province (unlike the desert reservoir infections of Kordofan which are seasonal) is transmitted from snail to man throughout the year excepting only during the two months when the flood is at its height. As a result of this, the infections tend to be intense, and profound anaemia and con¬ stitutional symptoms result. Although a large percentage of the riverain popula¬ tion remains infected with this disease, the general health has been improved as the result of treatment.

The nearness of this infected river area to the Gezirah irrigated area of the Blue Nile Province, and the impossibility of preventing the population from entering this area in large numbers to help in the cotton picking, renders it a source of grave danger to the irrigated area. It is, therefore, additionally im¬ portant that the bilharzial incidence in the White Nile Province should be reduced as much as possible.

Work was carried on in 11 hospitals, dispensaries and treatment centres. The following show the numbers of cases treated during the year at the various centres, and the percentage of bilharzial infection at the schools :—

El-Dueim hospital .. .. .. .. 1,549 Kosti „ . . . . . . . . 319 Aba I sland Dispensary . . . . . . . . 45

Kawa ,, . . . . . . . . 27 Gebelein ,, .. . . . . . . 139 Geteina ,, .. . . . . . . 217

Wad-el-Zaki ,, . . . . . . . . 30

El-Dueim quarantine . . .. . . . . 738 Kosti ,, .. .. . . . . 2,887

Schools.

% positive. El-Dueim .. .. .. .. .. 31.7 Geteina . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.1 Kawa . . .. . . . . . . . . 28.0 Aba Island . . . . . . . . . . 95.5 Tendelti . . . . . . . . . . . . 03.6

Bilharzia Quarantine. Quarantine stations were maintained at Kosti and El-Dueim with a view to preventing the immigrants from the west, infected with bilharzia, from crossing the river and entering the Gezirah.

Only persons believed to be going to the Gezirah to work in the irrigated area are thus stopped. Such persons, whether attempting to cross the river by the

White Nile bridge or by one of the ferries, are turned back and sent either to Kosti or El-Dueim. There thev are examined and if found to be infected with bilharzia are detained and cured ; otherwise they are allowed to proceed on their way. They are housed and fed free during the period of detention.

A total of 19,402 persons were examined at these two stations and 3,820 were found to be infected with bilharzia, i.e. 19.9 per cent, were found to be infected. These are all cases of bilharzia haematobium infection. It was not found possible to examine for rectal bilharzia, but it is believed to be uncommon among these immigrants. A percentage of all cases will be examined for rectal bilharzia in

1929.