2 —

the untaught, unsophisticated tribesmen and to give this training in such places and in such manner as to prevent them from adopting the habits and dress of the townsmen. It is thought that by treating wounds, abrasions and simple ulcers in their own villages and cattle camps they will prevent such lesions from becoming chronic and thus causing prolonged or permanent disablement.

Sleeping Sickness.

A further decrease in new infections took place. In Mongalla Province only one new infection occurred, and that was contracted in Belgian territory. In theBahr-el-Ghazal area 29 new cases occurred as against 52 last year and 82 in 1926 (see report on Sleeping Sickness page 9).

Leprosy.

Interesting experimental work has been carried out in dealing with lepers in the sleeping sickness areas where the leprosy incidence is very high. The principle adopted was the \oJuntary segregation of lepers in agricultural settle¬ ments. The results obtained as regards the contentment and the physical improvement of the lepers, and as regards their ability to become largely self- supporting, have been most encouraging. Additional funds have been provided to extend this work so as to enable the voluntary segregation in these settle¬ ments of the whole leper population of the sleeping sickness areas in the course of the next two years (see report on Leprosy page 13).

HEALTH OF OFFICIALS.

This has been generally satisfactory, and shows some improvement on that of the previous years.

Out of 949 British officials, 266 were placed on the sick list. The average number of days lost through sickness by British officials was 3.8 as against 4.7 last year. Out of 2,399 Sudanese officials, 440 were placed on the sick list. The average number of days lost was 1.9 as against 2.0 for last year.

Out of 1,522 Syrian and Egyptian officials, 323 were placed on the sick list. The average number of days lost was 1.9 as against 2.3 for last year.

Sickness of classified officials 1928.

NATIONALITY.

|

No. of officials employed.

TOTAL Average days’

sickness Died Invalid¬

ed Placed on

sick list.

No. of days’

sickness. For all officials.

For those who were

sick

British 949 266 3,650 3.8 13.7 3* 12 Other Europeans 87 14 151 1.7 10.8 Egyptians and Syrians. . 1,522 323 2,908 1.9 9.0 3 11 Sudanese.. 2,399 440 4,472 1.9 10.0 4 12 Other non—Europeans. . 25 1 17 .7 17.0

Total 4,982 1,044 11,198 2.3 10.6 10 35

♦These died out of hospital :—1 at sea, 1 in England and 1 in Darfur.