2
total mortality as against 72 per cent. in the previous year was registered
under this head. The lowest rates were as usual returned by the urban
areas where the death-rate continues to decline.
Anti-malarial measures were carried out in a few towns, and quinine
was freely distributed in a number of districts by Sub-Assistant Surgeons
from the middle of August. Unfortunately 18 of the 24 Sub-Assistant
Surgeons employed on the work were early withdrawn for military duty and
12 new men were appointed only after considerable delay. The measures
were, however, extended till the end of February, one month beyond the
usual period. It is gratifying to observe that the efforts of the Malaria
Committee to popularise quinine appear to be meeting with success, and
there was a considerable demand for quinine in the " treatment " form in
which it is now sold. The sale of quinine in this form has nearly doubled
since August 1913. Quinine was distributed free to school children in the
Hooghly district through the agency of the Eduction Department, and some
District Boards spent considerable sums in the purchase of quinine for free
distribution. The necessity for administering adequate doses of quinine
to patients attending dispensaries was brought to the notice of District
Boards and Municipalities, and assistance was given to a few of the poorer
municipalities to enable them to purchase the requisite amount of quinine.
Besides considering methods for increasing the use of quinine, the Malaria
Committee enquired into the malarious nature of Manikganj, and discussed
the value of sub-soil drainage as an anti-malarial measure and the danger
arising from borrow-pits in proximity to dwelling-houses. The Committee
decided that no benefit would accrue from jungle-cutting experiments
for which the Indian Research Fund had made a grant of Rs. 50,000.
It, therefore, put forward a proposal that this grant should be utilised
in carrying out two experimental schemes of sub-soil drainage drawn up
by Dr. Bentley. This proposal did not, however, meet with the approval
of the Government of India and the grant for experimental jungle-cutting
was accordingly withdrawn. The Governor in Council is disappointed to
find that the Malaria Committee hold only three meetings during 1914, but
he is glad to learn that the efforts of the Committee to popularise quinine
are meeting with success. The first step towards the elimination of malaria
is the extension of the use of quinine both as a prophylactic and as a curative
medicine. Much good will no doubt result from measures for the improve-
ment of drainage and cultivation, but these by themselves will not prevent
the spread of malaria.
5. Other diseases.—The number of deaths from cholera increased from
78,898 to 89,224, the corresponding death-rates being 1.74 and 1.96 per mille.
The average death-rate from cholera for the five years 1909-1913 was 1.98.
The incidence of the disease was highest in the Murshidabad Circle, while
the districts of Nadia and Malda also suffered severely. Owing to the small
number of wells in the province disinfection of water-supply was possible
only in a few localities. In Birbhum and Dacca the disinfection of wells was.
reported to have had a beneficial eftect.
The mortality from plague continued to decrease, the number of deaths
being 554 as against 984 in the previous year. Of these, 442 occurred in
Calcutta. As no cases of plague were reported during November and Decem-
ber. Calcutta was declared to be free from plague in the latter part of
December.
The death-rate from dysentery and diarrhœa decreased slightly, that
from inspiratory diseases continued to increase, while the number of deaths
under the head " Injury " showed little variation.
6. Sanitary Board.—The Sanitary Board held nine meetings during
the year. Eleven sketch projects estimated to cost Rs. 53,21,672 and fourteen
detailed schemes estimated to cost Rs. 12,65,625 were forwarded to Govern-
ment for approval and sanction. The Board also considered a scheme for
the supply of water to the municipalities and cantonments on the eastern
bank of the Hooghly. A recommendation that Government should delegate
financial authority to the Board was not accepted. His Excellency in
Council desires to acknowledge the useful services to the Board rendered by
the non-official members who were added at the end of 1913.