GENERAL REMARKS ON HEALTH

AND PROGRESS.

The health condition of the Sudan generally speaking was satisfactory.

Malaria.

The lower rainfall, the better spacing of the rains, and the lower humidity throughout the central and much of the northern Sudan resulted in a lower incidence of malaria throughout this region. The high malaria rate which had prevailed during the autumn of 1927, as a result of heavy rains followed by a warm winter, persisted in the early months of 1928, but the malaria rate fell throughout March, and by April had returned to normal. In the Gezirah irrigated area the lower malaria rate throughout the autumn of this year was very marked.

Relapsing Fever.

The relapsing fever epidemic (which spread to Darfur from Wadai in 1926) was finally brought under control in the spring of 1928, and no cases have been reported since October 1928. This disease had caused very heavy loss of life and had constituted a grave threat to the rest of the Sudan, and it may be considered, satisfactory that the disease has been brought under complete control without the infection having spread outside Darfur to other parts of the Sudan.

Small Pox.

Epidemics of small-pox occurred throughout the greater part of the north¬ ern and central 'Sudan. The epidemic in Darfur reached serious proportions and caused considerable loss of life. In the other provinces the outbreaks were brought under control without serious difficulty.

Increase of Medical Work.

There was a still further increase of medical work carried out among the natives. This was due to increase of work at existing hospitals, and to addition¬ al dispensaries being opened in outlying places.

Chiefs’ Dressers.

Progress has been made in selecting and training chiefs’ dressers. The object in view is to give a simple first-aid training to men selected from among