No. 3021 Genl., dated Lahore, 14th April 1915.
From-Colonel C. J. BAMBER, I.M ( S., Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Punjab,
To —The Additional Secretary to Government, Punjab.
I HAVE the honour to forward, herewith, the annual report of the Chief
Malaria Medical Officer, Punjab, on the work done by the Malaria Bureau and
to state as follows.
2. Owing to the reversion to Military duty of Captain Gill, I.M.S.,
the appointment of Chief Malaria Medical Officer has been held by Lieutenant-
Colonel Lane, I.M.S., since 4th November last in addition to his appointment
as Chief Plague Medical Officer.
During apart of the summer and the autumn, the energies of the
malaria staff had been devoted to the survey of Lahore in particular as also
ta the attempt to protect school children against malaria. As regards the
latter, the effort did not prove altogether successful owing to the vacations
which hampered its being carried out effectually. The spleen census which
has been made has provided information on the subject which will be undoubt-
edly useful in the future. A.large portion of the work of the malaria staff
has been dealt with in separate reports on the spleen census and quinine pro-
phylactics among school boys.
3. In his report Lieutenant-Colonel Lane confines his attention chiefly
to what he has had to do himself and has taken the opportunity to endeavour
to give some practical advice for the prevention of malaria and this is required
as pointed out last year. What is required is practical advice which will show
how to prevent the disease as also the institution of scientific enquiries into its
incidence and causes. On this financial assistance is more likely to be given
by local bodies towards the prosecution of measures for the prevention of
Malaria.
I would ask for 160 copies of the report when printed for circulation in,
this department.
No 73 M. I., dated Lahore, 29th March 1915.
From-Lieutenant-Colonel D. T. LANE, M.D., D.P.H., I.M.S., Chief Malaria Medical Officer, Punjab,
To—The Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Punjab.
I HAVE the honour to submit this annual report on the work done in the Malaria
Bureau during the year, also suggestions for the prevention of malaria in certain places, and
tables and charts showing the fever death rate and other matters concerning malaria in the
Punjab.
2. Captain Gill, I.M.S., has written a very able and interesting 1 " Report on Malaria
in the Punjab, with special reference to its prevalence among school children. This report
has already been forwarded to the Punjab Government for perusal and publication. Malaria
surveys of Amritsar city ; Gujrát, Batála and Thánesar towns have been carried out and
a preliminary survery of Lahore is approaching completion. As the malaria survey of Lahore
has been carried out under me, I will confine my remarks to that city. No large or
expensive scheme, so far as my observations go, is required for the prevention, of malaria
in Lahore. A copy of the survey will soon be in the hands of the municipal com-
mittee, and I have no doubt the commitee will carry out the measures which will be
recommended for the prevention of malaria. Along the sides of the railways from Lahore City fco
Lahore Cantonments, the ground is cut up in all directions and rank vegetation shelters inumer-
able pools Ou the Shahdara side areas of considerable size are under water in the rains, and
there are some large borrow-pits on the side of the line near the city. There is a chain of pools
along the sides of practically all the roads approaching Lahore. The condition along the sides of
the railways and roads near Lahore is not all exceptional it is the same throughout the Punjab.
Pools on the road-sides are very dangerous, as people frequently sleep on the road-sides and are
apt to contract malaria. I do not think I am far wrong in saving that so surely as a man.
sleeps a night on the side of the road between Chandigarh and the Ghaggar in September
so surely will he contract malaria. Pools near railway stations are very dangerous, as people
frequently sleep in the Railway Stations at night. 1 suggest that pools and puddles along
road-sides and railway sides be either filled up or drained. There is a lot of waste land along
the noads and railways which instead of being, as it is now, a danger to the public, might be
brought under cultivation or utilized in some way. A rose garden along the railways from
Lahore to Mián Mir would probably return a handsome profit, It may be worth while for Gov-