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measures against the malaria-carrier alone would not be very much more than
Rs. 1,00,000 for the whole of A., B., 0., D. and E. Wards, even were there no
sanitary staff already employed there ; and the area of more intense malaria
(A., B. and C. Wards) if taken alone could probably be dealt with for a total
expenditure of Rs. 50,000 per annum. The most dangerous permanent breeding
places of the malaria-carrier—the house wells in the Fort and Dhobi Taláo—could
probably all be protected by filling-in or providing proper covers for a capital
expenditure of lis. 50,000, and for another Us. 50,000 one half of the remain-
ing wells to the south of Grant Road could be effectively protected. Once this
permanent work was carried through, carrent expenditure would be lessened,
465. Special Officer.—As regards the Special Assistant to the Health
Officer, it may be pointed out that the appointment of such an officer is the most
important part of the whole scheme. It is absolutely essential that one
responsible official shall be able to devote his whole time and attention to perfecting
the details of the work and seeing that it is properly carried out. He should
be given as free hand as possible (subject to the control of the Executive Health
Officer), both to initiate and superintend the work ; and he should be expected
to furnish each year a report of the work done. He would require a speedy
conveyance to enable him to get about from place to place with as little loss
of time as possible, and he would also need a small office and laboratory staff.
It is probable that an officer from among the existing staff of the Health
Department might be delegated for all-time work of this kind.
466. Subordinate staff.—As regards subordinate staff, the question is
largely a matter of detail, for subsequent arrangement ; but it may be pointed
out that it will be necessary to allow for adequate inspection of any area in
which work is undertaken, more or less on the lines laid down in the chapter
in which the " Cost of Malaria Prevention" was discussed. As regards the well-
cleaning gangs and fish-stocking gangs, the employment of which is an essential
part of the scheme, the estimate given in the same chapter may be found to be
either above or below the actual requirements. There should be no difficulty
in obtaining a sufficient supply of suitable fish, either Piku, Kazári or cat-
fish, from local sources.
467. Legal Powers,—The question of adequate legal powers is of great
importance. Without them any scheme of work is bound to fail. In the
chapter on " The Legal Aspect of Mosquito Prevention " the matter has been
fully discussed, and it is only necessary to point out that "mosquito breeding "
must be declared a statutory " nuisance " and power must be given to
the Municipal Commissioner, not only to take the necessary action himself, but to
delegate that power to the Executive Health Officer or a responsible assistant.
The appointment of a responsible whole-time officer would in itself be a sufficient
safeguard against oppression in carrying out the law, especially if power of
appeal to the Municipal Commissioner were provided for.
468. In the ad interim report it was suggested that a scheme for
registering and licensing collections of water, such as wells, etc., which form
potential breeding places for the carriers of malaria, should form part of the
anti-malaria campaign. This suggestion is likely to be of value especially in
regard to wells. If on the one hand a special grant were made for
filling in or permanently covering wells and on the other hand a license were
required and small fee charged to those who wished to adopt a more uncertain
method of protection (i. e., well covers with a trap door, stocking with fish, or
both) to cover the cost of periodical inspection, there would be a strong
inducement to well-owners to choose the permanent method of protection,
Further consideration does not suggest any great modification of the general
preventive measures indicated in the ad interim report, and these suggestions
should be taken as a guide.
469. In conclusion, it is only necessary to point out that, as the end to be
achieved is the eradication of malaria from Bombay, permanent measures for
the protection or abolition of breeding places of the malaria-carriers should have
precedence over all others. But in places like the New Doek Works temporary