19
REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE KING INSTITUTE, GUINDY
through the virgin soil of the northern valley, previously unaffected by
the sporadic type of the disease, and there found a population fully
susceptible to its deadly influence"), it will be impossible to cope with
the epidemic without undertaking preventive measures on a very large
scale and involving considerable expense to Government.
(6) The Malaria Survey at Ennore.— This survey was undertaken at
the request of the Collector of Salt Revenues to enquire into the prevalence
of malaria among the Salt Department personnel in Ennore-Vayalur area.
The investigation unit was in charge of Dr. K. P. Menon and remained
in the area from 23rd February until 22nd March 1925. The work was
commenced at Vayalur and the unit after completing the survey of
the salt factories at Kottur and Attipet north, proceeded to Ennore
where it carried out the survey of the factories at Vallur and Attipet
south in addition to enquiry at Ennore itself. The investigations
revealed that in Polittivakkam village, 33.33 per cent of the children
showed splenic enlargement while at Kathivakkam and Ennore the
spleen rate was 78.04 amongst children and 54.84 in the adults. Thus
Ennore appears to be the hyper-endemic focus from which the infec
-
tion is carried to the different factories through the various channels of
communication. Anopheles culicifacies, and A fuliginosus which were
active carriers, were bred out in large numbers from the factories at
Vayalur and Polittivakkam and also from Kathivakkam. The factories
concerned should enjoy comparative freedom from malaria if the
preventive measures which have been recommended are properly and
vigilently carried out.
The work entrusted to the various Assistant Surgeons in charge of
these units has been carried out by them in a highly efficient manner.
The investigations of the malarial units at Sappal Hill at Mount Stuart
and Top-Slip in Anaimalai Hills and in Vayalur-Ennore area, were very
thorough and the recommendations eminently practical. If the measures
advised in these reports were carefully carried out, and the anti-malarial
measures recommended intelligently supervised and kept up, there should
be a very great reduction of malaria in these parts, and considerable
financial saving to Government. The second investigation unit was kept
busy most of the time with the enquiry into kala-azar. This unit's work
is valuable both from the public health as well as from the scientific
point of view. The investigations have established the fact that kala-azar
is present in Tinnevelly and R ā mnā d districts where the infection appears
to have been conveyed from Madras. The disease, however, so far appears
to be confined to certain small towns and villages only, and can, therefore,
be prevented from spreading by means of suitable measures.
The two units attached to the institute spent most of their time in
the field and it was found that they were not sufficient to meet the
demand. The malaria enquiry at Nellore ordered by Government in their
G.O. No. 1682, P.H., Mis., dated 18th November 1924, had to be postponed
again in consequence, and it is not possible to say when it can be carried
out. Another permanent unit is badly needed.
V. ASSISTANCE TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
1. The work of the investigation units on behalf of Forest and Salt
departments has already been noted.
2. Seed vaccine lymph has been supplied to Ceylon during the year, and
supplies of lymph have been made to the French Settlements in Southern
India, to the Chief Health Officer, Portuguese India at Nova Goa, and
the Chief Medical Officer, Federated Malay States. Special supplies were
made to the Collectors of Malabar and South Kanara for use in the
Laccadives and Amindivi Islands, and also to the Health Officer, Station
Municipality, Bangalore, and to the Superintendent of Vaccination,
Secunderabad.