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places of mosquitoes, an increased number of mukadums, coolies and bullock
carts would be needed, to work under the control of the sanitary inspectors
and the Deputy Health Officers; therefore an allowance must be made for
increased expenditure under these heads.
368. If it was found advisable also to carry out the covering of wells and
cisterns and the protection of other minor breeding places depart mentally, it
would be necessary either to increase the existing Public Works establishment or
to keep a certain number of carpenters and blacksmiths specially for such work.
369. The estimate for work under these different heads could not be put
at less than Rs. 50,000 per annum; but a proportion of this amount would
be recoverable.
370. Broadly speaking the increased staff required for really efficient
measures of prevention directed against mosquitoes of every kind would cost
nearly Rs. 3,32,200 per annum, if that work were confined merely to houses and
their surroundings. For the necessary "material" including the laboratory and
office equipment, carts and tools, apparatus for examining breeding places, etc.,
a supply of suitable larvacides (i.e., kerosine, crude petroleum, cresol and
carbolic emulsion, etc.), and suitable sprayers for applying them, at least another
3,00,000 of rupees would be required; making a total of about Us. 4,50,000
per annum.
371. For this sum it should be possible to control the breeding of
mosquitoes in the inhabited parts of the island in such a manner as to almost
entirely check the mosquito nuisance and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne
disease. But if it was decided to still further extend the anti-mosquito
measures, so as to include every area of low-lying ground and every pool of
water in the north and the north-east of the island, many of which are at a
considerable distance from dwelling houses, it would be necessary to increase
this estimate proportionately.
372. Briefly the estimated cost of Scheme I is as follows :—
225 sub-inspectors at Us. 40 per mensem
.,.
775 labourers at Rs. 12 per month
16 full sanitary inspectors at Rs. 150 each per mensem
32 peons at Rs 12 p. m, each
Well-cleansing gangs
Fish gangs
Head office establishment
Increased cleaning and departmental work
Material, larvacides, sprayers, etc.
Rs.
... 1,08,000
... 1,11,600
28,800
4,608
8,400
3,000
17,000
50,000
... 1,00,000
4,31,400
373. SCHEME II.—But there is another alternative. If it were decided
to limit all measures to those against malaria-carrying mosquitoes alone and to
carry out the work only in A., B., C., D. and F. "Wards, the staff suggested for
special all-mosquito work could be considerably reduced, as it would be neces-
sary to allow for weekly inspections in only a few areas such as the New Dock
Works, Railway yards, etc. It would not be possible however, to reduce the well-
cleansing gangs, and the staff responsible for stocking wells with fish very greatly.
Neither would it be possible to dispense with the special officer and the head
office. The employment of one man who could devote his whole time and
attention to directing and controlling the work, and who was responsible, in
addition, for the preparation of the annual malaria report, is the most essential
part of the scheme ; and success is not likely to be attained unless such a man
is appointed. But it is probable that the work could be accomplished in a
satisfactory manner for less than Rs. 1,00,000 per annum. It would be
necessary, however, for the Port Trust and Railway Companies to continue
their special anti-mosquito work, which should be under the direct control of
the Special Malaria Assistant to the Health Officer.
374.. For the special measures which would be directed chiefly against
Neocellia stephensi in Wards A., B., C, D. and E., it would be necessary to allow
for an inspection of premises at least once a month. This could be accomplished
B 136—34