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APPENDIX D.
Proposals for the provision of laboratories and staff for the study
of insect parasitology.
(F. M. HOWLETT, B.A., F.E.S., Imperial Pathological Entomologist.)
These proposals aim at providing adequate facilities for a comprehensive study of "medical"
and "veterinary" insects, and a staff sufficient for the purposes of research, for the carrying
out of practical measures or demonstrations on a small scale, and for a certain amount of educa-
tional work in special lines. The work would consist in the study of the insect parasites of men
and animals, with speoial reference to the needs of the Medical and Veterinary Departments,
who would have partial control of its direction. I suggest the creation of an independent depart-
ment acting as an entomological link between the two departments just mentioned: any medical
or veterinary officer should have the right to accommodation in the home of insect parasitology,
and vice versâ.
The precise relations of this department with existing or proposed medical or veterinary
Institutes and Colleges, as regards specimens and collections or matters connected with
teaching, will be best arranged by consultation.
There should be a central station in an accessible and well-chosen locality within reach of
various climatic conditions; the neighbourhood of Deolali, Poona or Dehra Dun (particularly
the first two) are not unsuitable. As sub-stations, advantage might in most cases be taken of
existing laboratories, but in special instances it would be necessary to construct small buildings,
and for these provision has been made in the estimated expenditure, which is as follows:—
Initial, 4½ lakhs; and recurrent, when the scheme is in full working order, averaging
Rs. 2,80,000.
Staff.
This would consist of a superior staff comprising an administrative officer, preferably
a member of the Indian Civil Service who has had no scientific education; a "Scientific Adviser"
who would be the senior expert; seven other experts, and one artist (who may also be classed
as an expert). Their pay would be Rs. 500—50—1,500, with an extra allowance of Rs. 500
a month to the senior export and the administrator, with a maximum total of Rs. 2,000 in the
case of the latter. These two officers would deal respectively with the scientific and the purely
administrative side of the work, and it is not difficult to define their duties in such a way as to
avoid the probability of friction; in doubtful cases the decision of the senior expert to be final.
The pay at which a man would be recruited would vary with his qualifications, but should
very rarely exceed Rs. 750 a month. He should have free quarters.
The Staff of Assistants would be on grades of pay Rs. 50—75, 75—100, 100—150, 150—200,
and 200—400; the number of men in each grade being (in the same order) 12, 10, 10, 7 and 7.
The clerical and inferior and menial staff on pay below Rs. 50, includes 54 posts. (Total
of assistant and inferior staff 100.) Roughly speaking, each expert has four of the higher staff
and four of the lower, the remainder being under the administrator; it is unnecessary to
show their allocation in detail.
Work. There would be, roughly, the following arrangement in laboratories and appor-
tionment of work:—
(1) General, physiology, and "insecticides"
(2) Dipterous parasites such as mosquitos, sand-
flies, midges, Simulium; horse-flies, muscoids,
Hippoboscids, bots and warbles .
(3) Lice fleas, bugs, ticks and mites .
(4) Illustration and general superintendence of all
publications
.
.
.
.
.
.
(5) Administration
1 Entomologist.
1 Physiologist.
3 Entomologists.
3 Entomologists.
1 Artist.
1 Administrator.
10
D