| RefNo | NLB/14/297 |
| AltRefNo | NLB/14 p170-171 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from Michael Foster, to Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, Government House, Maritzburg, Natal |
| Date | 11 February 1897 |
| Description | Foster states that he is sending off 100 copies of [David] Bruce's Report [on the Tsetse Fly Enquiry] direct to Hely-Hutchinson. The Colonial Office have asked for 25, and the Royal Society will send a copy to each of the learned societies to whom the matter may prove interesting, as well as to certain individuals, and each of the Society's Committees. He anticipates instructions from Hutchinson regarding the remaining copies, and will send copies to any destination he may mention.
The enquiry is progressing steadily, but the experiments regarding production of haematozoon of toxic substances in the blood are negative so far. They are not yet complete, but they must soon conclude that none are produced. Such a conclusion would remove hopes of any anti-toxin treatment. The results from a pathological point of view are described as 'very interesting' but not suggestive of a mode of treatment. Foster further explains that they are working on the life-history of the haematzoon, these enquiries are incomplete, but point to the conclusion that their life cycle is not completed within the body of the animal suffering from Ngana [nagana pest or animal African trypanosomiasis], but pass some phases outside of the body of the bitten animal. This indicates the distribution of the disease, which may assist in prevention. Once they have progressed further, this may be worked out at Ubombo.
Beyond the unpromising idea of anti-toxin, they have begun work on the idea of antagonistic serum. Foster sends thanks for their letter of 14 January, but there is no need to send the skin.
The Colonial Office are reported as being more hopeful about finance, though undecided on some points. Meanwhile, the Royal Society are paying for themselves. Foster hopes to shortly send a memorandum by Marshall Ward about the locust fungus. |
| Extent | 2p |
| Format | Carbon |
| PhysicalDescription | Typescript |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8220 | Foster; Sir; Michael (1836 - 1907); physiologist | 1836 - 1907 |
| NA8153 | Bruce; Sir; David (1855 - 1931); bacteriologist and parasitologist | 1855 - 1931 |