FLY PREVENTION.

The number of permits issued in the three towns for zibla making was 4,211. I am convinced that as long as this practice is allowed to continue there will never be a real diminution in the number of flies. I suggest, in Khartoum, where the land is now clashed as first and second and on which only buildings of stone or brick-work are allowed that the use of zibla be prohibited on all new work and that all existing buildings be made to conform to such a regulation within a given time.

The disposal of waste water is becoming a greater problem each year. In the centre of the town where the number of restaurants and coffee-houses is gradually increasing and where there are no proper means of waste water disposal other than throwing it out on the street, it is very liable to give off objectionable smells. This also applies to many private dwellings where there is insufficient ground area to dispose of waste water properly. Considerable nuisance is also caused, by the discharge of waste water on to ground which is shaded from the sun. The ground at these places is invariably water logged and a source of danger from a mosquito and fly breeding point of view.

SMALL POX AND VACCINATION.

During February and March small pox was prevalent in the Blue Nile Province and appeared to be spreading northwards towards Khartoum, cases being reported at Bagair and Eilafun on the province boundaries. The cases in these two places were controlled from Khartoum owing to the greater distance to Wad Medani and active measures were taken to vaccinate all villages along both banks of the Blue Nde.

With the additional fac'lities for transport both by motor car and train the danger of a spread of small pox to Khartoum and Omdurman is greatly increased and control is more difficult to ensure. Every facility was offered by the railway staff in Khartoum, enabling us to examine travellers from the Blue Nde and to vaccinate large numbers.

In November a case of small pox occurred in a fireman of the railways, he had contracted the disease probably at Atbara; immediate measures of isolation and vaccination prevented any further cases locally. The case though confluent made a good recovery.

Below is a table showing the number of vaccinations done in the province during the year.

Successful Failed Unknown Total Khartoum Civil Hospital 2,741 92 7 2,840 British Military Hospital 1,005 774 84 1,864 S.D.F. Hospital 642 379 50 1.071 Khartoum North Dispensary . . 1,562 57 95 1.714 Omdurman Civil Hospital 2,565 55 51 2,671 Geili Dispensary 150 --_ 150 Gebel Aulia Dispensary 136 68 58 262 Rural District — — 2,162 2,162 Railway staff, Khartoum — — 812 812 Total 8,802 1,425 3,319 13,546