20
(6) Wholesale grain stores should not be situated in close
proximity to densely-crowded areas of a city.
(c) Wholesale grain stores should never be utilized for purposes
of human habitation.
(d} Bearing in mind that water is essential for the life of the
rat, no water accessible to rats, or fresh vegetables should be allowed in
wholesale grain stores.
(e) As rats are una.ble to circumvent a smooth horizontal projec-
tion of nine inches, such a ledge surrounding a grain store on the top of
a plinth 3 feet high is effective in prohibiting the ingress of rats. On
the sides of the building in which the doors are situated this ledge can
conveniently be enlarged into a platform 2 feet or 2 feet 6 inches in
width. Reinforced concrete is a suitable material for such ledges and
platforms.
(/) The roof of the godowii should overhang 1 this platform and
ledge to prevent the accumulation of i'ain water thereon.
(g] No steps or similar means of facilitating ingress should be
allowed. In practice the inconvenience caused by the absence of s ach
steps will be found inconsiderable. For unloading sacks of grain
designed for such a store the bullock cart can be pushed close to the
platform, which is also at a convenient height to facilitate the deposit
thereon of sacks from a coolie's back.
(//) "Hats will, from time to time, be introduced into such a store,
but they will be compelled to leave in search of water and should find
their return extremely difficult.
(¿) In villages and places where the cost of such pucca buildings
is prohibitive relatively rat-free stores can be made of almost any
material, provided the roof is water-tight, by raising the floor on
uprights surmounted by rat guards similar in design to those commonly
employed on ships' cables. These uprights should be at least three feet
high and would support the beams on which the floor rests. The floor
might be made of wood. The space underneath the floor can be left
open a.nd kept free f rom weeds and rank growth with but little trouble.
The above suggestions should bo sufficient to enable ' rat-free '
godowns, suitable for any requirements, to be designed. Provided
the principles on which the suggestions are made be borne in mind,
suggestions which are all based on an appreciation of the habits of rats,
these godowns will be so constructed and kept as to ensure a remarkably
decreased rat population.
Other means of diminishing the risk of the conveyance of plague-
infection through the medium of grain and similar merchandise will
suggest themselves. The diminution of the facilities, at present
existing, for rats to enter goods wagons and carts ; the breaking of
bulk of consignments of grain ; the erection of pucca platforms on which
grain received loose can be ba.gged ; these and similar measures all
require attention in certain cases. Enough has been said to draw
attention to the importance of the grain trad e in the spread of plague
and the above suggestions and principles should suffice to indicate how
the dangers can be minimized, if not entirely averted-
2. Other means of conveying plague-infection.—Grain and similar
merchandise has been considered a,t length to emphasise their import-
ance, but it is not contended that they afford the only means of