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average of the five years 1903—1907, the ratios being 23.44, 23.18 and 22.21
per mille, respectively. The mortality returned under the head of " Fever,"
though doubtless due in great part to causes other than malaria, represents no
less than 60.80 per cent. of the total mortality in the province from all causes.
The worst affected district was Palamau with 40.19 deaths per mille; and it is
noticeable that in the first eight districts which returned the highest mortality
from this cause, occur the names of Palamau, Hazaribagh, Birbhum, Gaya, the
Sonthal Parganas and Singhbhum, none of which can be described as water-
logged. The Sanitary Commissioner apprehends that the deficiency in the
rainfall necessary to scour away the accumulated surface impurities, affected
prejudically the health of these tracts, but the explanation seems at variance
with the ordinarily accepted mosquito theory, while the unusual dryness of the
year is adduced in the case of the districts of Murshidabad, Nadia, Jessore and
Purnea as having contributed to an improvement in the public health. Among
towns, Sahibganj in the Sonthal Parganas was the chief sufferer from fever, and
returned a mortality of 36.51 per mille. Anti-malarial measures were continued
in the town of Ranaghat in Nadia, and in one ward of the North Barrackpore
Municipality in the district of the 24-Parganas. It has been decided to
discontinue further operations at Ranaghat pending the preparation of a
drainage scheme for the town.
10. In pursuance of the policy of conducting systematic investigations into
the prevalence of fever, a special inquiry was made by Captain W. C. H. Foster,
I.M.S., with the assistance of two Assistant Surgeons and six Civil Hospital
Assistants, into the circumstances of the most malarious thanas in the Purnea
and Murshidabad districts. His report is now under the consideration of
Government. Notwithstanding the unfavourable conditions of the year, there
was a considerable decrease in the sale of pice-packets of quinine, which fell to
13,307 parcels as compared with 22,497 sold during 1907. Measures have
recently been taken, which, it is hoped, will further extend and popularise the
use of the drug, as the result of a reduction in its price and its issue not only in
the form of powder, but also, and chiefly, in small tablets.
11. Dysentery and diarrhœa.—There was a noticeable increase in the
mortality from this cause as compared with the previous year, the number of
deaths recorded being 64,899, against 51,670 in 1907, 48,920 in 1906, and
47,441 the average of the five years 1903—1907. The causes operative in the
case of cholera affected the figures under these heads also.
The Orissa
Division again showed the highest mortality, and the death-rate there was nearly
double that of 1907, viz., 6.68per mille in comparison with 3.75. Chota Nagpur
stands next with a death-rate of 1.15, followed by Bengal (.92) and Bihar (.47).
12. Respiratory diseases.—The number of deaths from these complaints
was approximately equal to that returned in the previous year. Altogether
15,399 persons succumbed, against 15,039 and 12,825 in the two preceding years,
and 10,886 the average of the five years 1903—1907, the corresponding ratios
being .30, .29, .25 and .21 per mille, respectively. Owing to the existing diffi-
culties of diagnosis, the statistics will probably show a progressive increase as
the system of reporting improves.
13. Injury.—Slightly fewer deaths were recorded under this head than.
in 1907, the ratio per mille being .49 as compared with .50 in 1907. Deaths
from snake-bite fell from 9,215 during the previous year to 8,789, and it is
claimed that good results were obtained by the use of permanganate of potash.
It is, however, open to considerable question whether the percentage of true
successes was as high as claimed. An endeavour was made by Mr. Collins,
Subdivisional Officer of Gopalganj, to instruct the village hajams in this
method of treatment, and it is stated that much interest was shown in the
experiment.
14. Sanitary improvements.—It is so far satisfactory that the total expendi-
ture by Municipalities under the heads of "Drainage," "Water-supply" and
"Conservancy," which amounted to Rs. 16,59,453 in 1901-02 and Rs. 17,51,202
in 1902-03, rose to Rs. 19,37,439 in 1906-07 and Rs. 19,48,823 in 1907-08 ; but
the rate of progress achieved in comparison with what remains to be done
is' still slow ; and although schemes are prepared, considerable difficulty is
experienced in carrying them into effect, due chiefly to the want of funds.
While the Lieutenant Governor is anxious, in proportion to the means available,
to supplement the local resources, where any well-considered sanitary project
is beyond their power, it should be clearly understood that the major portion
of the expenditure must be met by local effort, and if the ordinary sources of
revenue are insufficient, by the raising of loans or recourse to private liberality.
It is unfair to the general tax-payer, and prevents the recognition of