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K I N G I N S T I T U T E , G U I N D Y , F O R
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It is worthy of note that the largest and the most representative collections
of larvæ of the dangerous varieties of anophelines prevalent in the locality, were
obtained from the two proposed sites. It will also be noted that the chief breeding
places of the malaria carrying species, were the geddas which have their origin
from the Dolphin hills. In all probability the Dolphin range itself provides the
most extensive and dangerous breeding places, for, it was observed that
collections of larvæ from the geddas near the foot of the hill were more
numerous than collections farther away from the hill. Several collections
of larvæ were made from the extensive swamp though at different places
but the majority proved to be A. rossi. However, from the swamp near
Tepparevu and Tikkodipalem, a few larvæ of A. fuliginosus were obtained.
Other than these no dangerous variety of anopheles larvæ was caught from the
swamp. A few wells in Valakampet and Dibbamidipalem, yielded anopheles
stephensi. But in no other village were the wells found to be harbouring
dangerous larvæ. The majority of larvæ collected from pools, ditches, and burrow
pits, proved to be A. rossi though a few were A. culicifacies. From Dibbamidi-
palem where rice and ragi cultivation is carried on, culicifacies and fuliginosus
larvæ were caught in fair numbers from the irrigation channels adjoining the
fields.
In the huts of the villagers in the Malakapuram area adult anopheles could
easily be secured in large numbers. Out of this, the majority proved to be A.
rossi. A few A. culicifacies were also caught from the huts but with great
difficulty. The huts had such dark and dingy walls that it was found very difficult
to spot mosquitoes of the type of A. culicifacies even with the aid of a lamp. Thirty-
one adult A. culicifacies caught in two batches of 17 and 14 from infected houses,
were dissected for sporozoites and zygotes and only one showed the presence of
zygotes. A. culicifacies was the only species living in close association with
human beings and as such there is no doubt that this species is the chief malaria
carrier in these parts.
Summary .—The results of the enquiry detailed above definitely establish
—
(i) That there is considerable amount of malaria in the villages around
the harbour area.
(ii) That the malaria carrying anopheles are present in all the villages in
large numbers, and that the conditions of the villages are highly suitable for the
breeding of anopheles larvæ.
(iii) That the malaria carrying anopheles are living in close association
with the human sources of infection.
The Malakapuram area, where it is proposed to locate the labour camp, is
highly unsuitable for the purpose from a malaria point of view and as such, it is
not advisable to have the camp there. But as it is not possible to have the camp
elsewhere, the following are the recommendations which if carried out, should,
reduce the incidence of malaria in the locality to a minimum.
In all anti-malarial measures two factors have to be considered :—
(1) Anophel es fact or.
( 2) Human f act or .
To reduce the dangers of the anopheles factor to a minimum the following
measures should be adopted :
—
(1) Removal of all scrub jungle and vegetation ; the tall trees however like
the palms, may be retained.
(2) Filling up of all the pools, ditches and borrow pits and such other
places which allow rain water to stagnate.
(3) Indiscriminate digging up of the earth on the area should be strictly
prohibited, as such pits would form excellent breeding places for mosquitoes.
(4) Reclamation of the northern half of Malakapuram area which is mostly
swampy.
(5) Converting all the existing geddas into proper canals of brick mortar
and cement, where there will be no possibility of water stagnation.
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