A.—4.

G. There is no Native beverage containing alcohol. The Native drink " kava," if allowed to stand, does not ferment, and after a few hours becomes stale and unpalatable. It is not consumed in Western Samoa in sufficient strength or quantity to have toxic effects. H. General information with regard to liquor, in addition to the above, was given in the Eighth Report, 1928. During 1936-37 there were no offences reported under the Samoa Dangerous Drugs Order, 1930. XIX,— HEALTH. The staff consists of three European medical officers, ten Native medical practitioners, and bacteriological and nursing staff, the complete health service comprising fifteen Europeans, seventy-nine Native Samoans, and two Chinese dressers. The appointments of a further Native medical practitioner and additional Samoan nurses largely account for the increase over the staff total for the previous year. Reorganization of the medical referred to in the previous report (page 21) consisted mainly of improving and extending the original services, the fundamental principles on which they were based remaining unaltered. More attention is given to inspection of meat and other local foodstuffs intended for public consumption ; an increased number of Samoan nurses is receiving training in child-welfare and pre-natal maternity work; women's committees have been formed in the majority of villages, while others are in process of formation in the remainder. Native medical practitioners and nurses make frequent and regular visits to each village in the Territory for the purpose of giving instructions to the women's committees ; water-supplies and sanitation generally have been improved ; additional classes have been formed at Apia Hospital to implement the present methods of instructing Native medical cadets and nurses in medical and nursing practice and the English language. From the point of view of epidemics the year just ended was the worst for a considerable period. During April. 1936, whooping-cough made its appearance and became prevalent throughout the Territory ; shortly afterwards measles broke out, and despite strenuous attempts to confine it to a few areas it "had spread to all villages by October, after which there was a decline in the number of cases, and the outbreak was finally stamped out before the end of December. It is estimated that whoopingcough accounted for approximately four hundred and measles sixty deaths among the Native children, the latter fatalities being due principally to broncho-pneumonia complications. The effect of these epidemics is shown in the infantile-mortality rates, particulars being given later in this chapter, see page 23. Hospitals and Dispensaries. Admissions to hospitals : — Apia Hospital — 1 935 - 1936 - Europeans . . . • • • • • ■ ■ ■ • 183 370 Samoans .. • • • • • • • • ■ • 889 1,082 Chinese .. •• •• •• •• •• 411 274 Melanesians .. ■ ■ • ■ • • ■ • 25 17 1,508 1,743 Tuasivi Hospital .. . ■ • • • • • • 182 177 Aleipata .. .. • • ■ • • • • • 148 125 Total admissions .. .. .. • • • • 1,838 2,045 Out-patients: All hospitals and dispensaries .. .. 16,297 15,647 Grand total .. .. .. •• •• 18,135 17,692 Deaths in hospitals .. .. .. • • • • 39 84 Main Diseases. Yaws. —Owing to the epidemics, it was not possible to carry out as many injections as usual, but many cases of yaws in the secondary and tertiary stages offered themselves for such treatment. The number who were injected for the year was 12,081. Enteric. There were more cases than usual in Apia Hospital. Where a case is found all members of the family are now inoculated. The number of cases during the year was 189. Tuberculosis.—Owe hundred and twenty-three cases of tuberculosis (pulmonary and glandular) were notified during the year. With regard to Count de Penha Garcia's as to the increase in tuberculosis in the Apia district, it is probable that cases are more numerous in that area because of closer settlement and the greater tendency of the Samoans to adopt European style of living and attire than in other districts. Trachoma. —There were eight cases during the year. Beri Beri. —Four cases were treated in Apia Hospital during the year. Conjunctivitis. —Seven cases were notified in the Territory. Pneumonia. —This shows an increase due to the epidemics of measles and whooping-cough, and bronchial catarrh. The number treated was ninety-seven. Venereal Disease. —Fifteen cases of gonorrhoea were treated in hospital during the year. Leprosy. —Six cases were isolated in Apia Hospital and later transferred to Makogai. There are at present eight Native mental cases in custody in Vaimea Prison.

(!) See Minutes of Thirtieth Session of the Permanent Mandates Commission, p. 125.

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