142
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
-{
-{
...{
-{
-{
•••{
16,000
30,000
52,000
30,000
34,000
24,000
23,500
40,000
42,000
30,000
44,000
24,000
222,000
233,000
5 grains.
2 „
5 „
2 „
5 „
2 „
6 ,,
2 „
5 „
2 „
5 „
2 „
5 grains
2
„
Grains of
quinine.
80,000
60,000
260,000
60,000
170,000
48,000
117,500
80,000
210,000
60,000
220,000
48,000
1,112,500
467,200
Total grains of
quinine.
= 140,000
= 320,000
= 218,000
= 137,500
= 270,000
= 268,000
1,579,700
406. The distribution was confined to portions of the North Port, Espla-
nade and Mándvi, an area which adjoins the New Dock "Works and which had
suffered seriously from malaria for several years. In addition to the quinine
distribution by the Municipality the Port Trust distributed 780 rupees worth of
quinine in 1909 and 1,748 rupees worth in 1910 and the B. B. & C. I. Railway
Company also expended Us. 268 in sugar-coated tablets for their employes at
Carnac Bunder Goods Yard during 1909.
407. Although it is difficult to give exact figures to shew the value of
this distribution, the absence of any serious amount of fever among the popula-
tion among whom the distribution was being made in spite of the fact that
more than one-third were infected with parasites of malaria at the commence-
ment is most significant. In one area the spleen rate dropped steadily from 54
per cent. in July to 33 per cent. in October and 29 per cent. in December 1909.
And there is little question that the improvement in the area near the docks,
recorded in the chapter on the Recent Results of Malaria Prevention, was
in part due to this free use of quinine. Many cases shewed a remarkable
improvement under treatment. One man got special leave from his work in
order to exhibit himself, being very proud that he had got rid of an enlargement
of the spleen extending to below his umbilicus.
408. The general conclusion arrived at whilst watching this distribution
was that it was an eminently practical measure for the mitigation of malaria
in areas seriously affected; and that, provided a palatable and efficient form of
quinine was employed, it was exceedingly well received by the people. The most
marked effect of the measure was not so much the reduction of cases of infection
as the alteration in character of the infections, the parasites being reduced in
numbers, with the result that few cases of actual sickness occurred among those
under treatment.
409. The best results were observed among the people who were induced
to take quinine by persuasion only. In the case of a chawl in which the
residents were all municipal employes (sweepers) it was found that the
compounder was endeavouring to insist upon people taking quinine ; but
pressure of this kind defeated its object, for people merely accepted the drug
and either kept it or threw it away. On the other hand, in cases where persua-
sion was relied upon entirely, it frequently happened that people who at first
refused the remedy subsequently requested to be allowed to have it.
410. The distribution was discontinued in December 1909 and it was not
resorted to during 1910. But in the course of a number of visits paid to the area
of distribution during the latter year numerous enquiries were received from
residents as to whether the quinine tablets were again to be distributed or not,
and the general opinion expressed by the people in that area was to the effect
that they had derived great benefit from the measure.
411. In addition to the distribution of quinine carried out by the
Municipality, the B. B. & 0. I. Railway Company and the Port Trust, the
P. & O. Company distributed quinine amongst their employe's also. In 1910