( 3 )
the result of his investigations leads to the conclusion that little permanent
benefit is likely to accrue in Bengal by any attempt to eradicate mosquitoes
by destroying larvæ. Until fuller information as to the causes underlying the
prevalence of malaria, in what is called the hyper-endemic area, which consists
of part of Murshidabad and Jessore, is obtained, the only method of procedure
which seems to hold out hopes of success is to reduce the infection rate by
the use of quinine.
Twenty-four Sub-Assistant Surgeons were deputed for distributing
quinine gratuitously. In Jessore, quinine hydrochloride in " treatments " was
exclusively used, and is said to have been very efficacious and much appre-
ciated by the people. The sale of quinine was the largest in the districts of
Burdwan, Khulna, Nadia, Murshidabad and Birbhum,
11. Dysentery and Diarrhœa.—The mortality under this head fell from
45,902 during 1910 to 43,913 during the year under review. As usual, the
death-rate in towns—2.29—was considerably higher than in rural areas.
12. Respiratory diseases.—Casualties recorded under this head amounted
to 15,402 against 15, 447 in the preceding year.
13. Injury.—Deaths from snake-bite numbered 10,240 against 9,043 in
the preceding year, and the increase in the total number of casualties from
injury from 25,357 to 26,124 was due to this rise. The districts of Darbhanga
and Muzaffarpur showed the greatest number of deaths from snake-bite
Saran and Champaran coming next. One hundred and sixty-five cases of
snake-bite were treated with permanganate of potash, and in 129 out of these
the patients were discharged as cured, while 34 cases ended fatally. Thirteen
persons were treated with antivenene, and of these 12 recovered. Lancets
with permanganate of potash and pamphlets of instructions were distributed
among Presidents of Panchayats and vaccinators in Saran, Cuttack, 24-
Parganas. Jessore and Nadia again provided the largest number of cases of
suicide, and the number of females who perished in this way was again
double the number of males. These facts, to which attention was called in
last year's resolution, remain unexplained.
14. Sanitary Improvements.—The expenditure by municipalities on con-
servancy, drainage and water-supply decreased from Rs. 24,88,154 to
Rs. 22,58,679, the decrease being due to the fact that the expenditure in the
preceding year was abnormally large, owing to the construction of drains in
various towns. The experiment of employing peripatetic gangs of sweepers
for cleansing villages and rural towns was tried in the Patna, Gaya and
other districts. The report contains an interesting statement showing the
effect of important sanitary works, and the death-rates before and after their
execution. Owing to the ravages of epidemics, the beneficial effects of
these schemes are not always reflected by the death-rates, but it is interesting
to note that in eight of the thirteen cases quoted, there has been a very
considerable fall in the death-rate, while two out of the five towns in which
the death-rate has increased suffered severely from plague. The introduction
of filtered water checks the incidence of cholera and other water-borne
diseases but, unless accompanied by the introduction of an efficient drainage
scheme, leads to the stagnation of a large volume of waste water and a
corresponding rise in the incidence of fever.
15. Sanitary Board.—During the year, seven new schemes of water-
supply were taken up. Six schemes were under the consideration of the
Board in their initial stages and twelve were proceeded with.
Eleven
drainage schemes were in the course of preparation in the Sanitary Engineer's
office, and five others were either examined or revised, while work was in
progress in sixteen schemes. In many cases progress has been regrettably
slow, and, although the contractor is often to blame, it is clear that the
Municipal Commissioners themselves could do a good deal to accelerate the
progress of work.
16. In order to stimulate the inception of adequate drainage schemes in
suburban municipalities, the Bagjola canal has been excavated and improved
at Government cost, and it is hoped that the various municipalities in the
vicinity will make use of it as an outlet for their drainage. So far. however,
the local bodies concerned have not shown the desire, and in some cases have
not the ability, to profit by the help thus afforded by Government.