63 OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.

Rabies.

Two cases of hydrophobia were notified during the year, both having been bitten in Kord of an Province. One case was a male aged 60 years who had been bitten by his own dog 45 days previously and died two days after admission to hospital The second case was a child aged 4 years which had had symptoms for 14 days on arrival. This case also died.

The usual measures of dog destruction in and around the three towns was undertaken by the Veterinary Department resulting in the destruction of 1,019 ownerless or unregistered animals.

Dengue Fever.

The severe epidemic of this disease which took place in Greece during the autumn later spread to Egypt. A very careful watch was kept for the appear¬ ance of the disease in the Sudan, but only one case imported from Cairo was notified from this (Khartoum) province.

Puerperal Fever.

Only 6 cases of this disease were notified compared to 14 in the previous year. This great improvement is almost entirely the result of the training of native midwives at the school of midwifery in Omdurman.

CONSERVANCY.

During the year 1.34 buckets were installed in new latrines in Khartoum. The average number of daily clearances in the three towns is as follows :— Khartoum Khartoum North Omdurman 3,559 1,176 390 Proposals are being put forward to increase the number of buckets in Omdurman by a further 400 to bring a complete area under conservancy and abolish all pit latrines in this area.

With regard to pit latrines in Omdurman it is proposed to increase the depth permitted from four to six metres and to insist as far as possible on pits being rendered dark b} a roof and surrounding walls.

Sewage Entrenching Ground.

Additional land to the extent of approximately 70 feddans has been acquired to extend our existing area. This should meet all requirements for a number of years and enable a proper rotation to be carried out.

Scavenging and Refuse Disposal.

Khartoum generally is kept in a fairly clean condition but 1 should like to see a higher standard of cleanliness, especially in the minor streets and lanes and this can only be attained by the employment of additional sweepers.

In Omdurman additional sweepers and public refuse bins are needed and have been applied for.

The two motor refuse vans in Khartoum and one in Omdurman are doing good work and have certainly passed the experimental stage with credit and 1 recommend that this part of the service be augmented.