161
every side should be thoroughly underdrained and the mouths of the drains so
arranged as to allow the aeration of the soil as well as the removal of the sub-
soil water. Dwellings should be raised above the level of the ground and
provided with a ventilated air space underneath".
These are no theoretical views. They are the expressions of an acknow-
ledged authority, and similar advice has been urged at every opportunity by the
Army Sanitary Commission and by the sanitary advisers to Government as one
of the surest means of improving the health of British soldiers; but as the
soundness of this advice may be called in question, it is as well to give still
further evidence on the point.
Dr. Ford, President of the Board of Health, Philadelphia, in his chapter on
'Soil and Water,' published in Buck's work on Hygiene and Public Health, says :—
" The extensive works for draining the sub-soil undertaken in all civilized countries
for the advancement of agricultural projects have incidentally exerted a very beneficial
influence upon the public health. The construction of sewers for the purpose of removing
the surface water and the liquid refuse of towns has had the important effect of diminish-
ing mortality, which effect is largely attributable to the drying of the sub-soil by lowering
the ground water. The investigations of Dr. Buchanan with the object of determining
the influence of the sewerage works of England on the public health have demonstrated
this fact beyond a doubt. The following table shows the general improvement which has
taken place in the health of twelve towns in consequence of drainage operations :—
Name of Place.
Banbury ... ...
Cardiff ... ... ...
Croydon ... ...
Dover ... ... ...
Ely ... ... ...
Leicester
Macclesfield ... ...
Merthyr ... ...
Newport
Rugby ... ... ...
Salisbury
Warwick
Population in
1861.
10,238
32,954
30,229
23,108
7,847
68,056
27,475
52,778
24,756
7,818
9,030
10,570
Average
mortality per
1,000 before
construction
of works.
23 4
33 2
237
22-6
23 9
26'4
29 8
33 2
31 8
19 1
27 5
22 7
Average
mortality per
1,000 since
completion
of works.
20 5
22 6
18 6
20 9
20 5
25 2
237
26 2
21 6
18 6
21 9
21 0
Saving of
life per
cent.
121
32
22
7
14
4½
20
18
32
2*
20
7½
Reduction of
Typhoid Fever
rate per cent.
48
40
63
36
56
48
48
60
36
10
75
52
Reduction
in rate of
Phthisis
per cent,
41
17
17
20
47
32
31
11
32
43
49
19
The advantages derived from deep drainage of the sub-soil of towns are so manifest that
there can be no longer any doubt as to the duty of local authorities to construct works in
all urban districts with special reference to drying and aerating the sub-soil."
The above results refer to towns in England, and it may be said that
because this course has been successful in an English climate, it does not neces-
sarily follow that the same results would be attained in a country like India
where the climate is so different. If so, the following extract from the report
of the Committee of Inquiry appointed by the Secretary of State for War in
1865 (Earl de Grey and Ripon) into the sanitary arrangements in force amongst
the French troops in Algeria, will be a sufficient answer :—
"It is our decided opinion that French experience in Algeria has shown that it is
absolutely necessary to adopt drainage and improved agriculture in India and other tropical
countries as the basis of their health arrangements, and that the required organisation for
draining and for improving the agriculture of that great country must be introduced. These
measures, indicated by the Royal Commission for diminishing malaria in India and other
warm climates, cannot be said to rest any longer on theoretical considerations. Their prac-
tical results may be seen in Algeria. In all warm countries malarial disease is proof of the
presence of malaria, but is also proof of unused riches in the soil. Make use of the riches
and the malaria will cease to be of importance. This ought to be one of the main objects of
Government in countries where the population suffers from malaria.
"Probably the best way of accomplishing these great improvements would be for the
authorities in India and in other warm climate colonies to execute the main drainage works
in agricultural districts and to give every encouragement to the introduction of improved
implements and methods of cultivation.
B 357—41