Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-21
TROPICAL MALARIA
Checked by British Physicians On the
Malay PeninsuIar.

London, April l9.-The remarkable
success against malaria which had Just
been achieved by the SueZ Canal Co.
at Ismaiia, mas been repeated in Brit
ish possessions, at Klang and Port
Swettenham in the Federated Malay
States. The leading facts concern all
those who take an interest in the well
fare of tropical empires.
Klang is a town which had a popula-
ton Of 1916 in 1901; and Port Swetten-
ham, situated only five lnileS away, on
the mouth of the Klang river, is closely
connected with klang. and contains 4
population which appears to be mostly
official. and to number about 100. In the
year 1900 both We're nOtbeds of malaria.
DR.. Watson, the district surgeon, who
reports the work. doubts whether more
than three out of 293 houses in klang
escaped infection with malaria during
the last four months Of that year. He
says: Inquiry at almost any house
ELECTED the fact that some one was ill.
Indeed, so serious did the matter be-
come, that the Chinese held a three
days 'chou-chou, during which the de-
vii was exercised and was duly witness
ed by several believers to take his flight
III uINtIS SulStS 81 L sN''t "ai.1
opened in September. 1862; within two
months of which date Al out of 40 gov
eminent quarters became infected,
while 11S out of 1876 government ser
wants were attached before the end of
the year. Owing to the recommended
tions of DR.. Watson, strongly support
ed by the state surgeon. DIR. TraverS,
government at once determined to carry
out energetic measures of drainage.
similar to those which this school has
| long recommended. and which have
proved so beneficial in Havana and
| ISmailia. Swamps We're filed up, jungle
and underground cleared. and a contour
drain constructed round the declivities
| in order to intercept Incoming springs.
| This and much similar work, has been
| continued up to date, the total eXpendi-
ture amounting to $4,000 Mexican dol
lars (S1 equals about 80 centS) for Klang
and $4,000 for Port SWcttcnham-thiS
comparatively large expenditure being
purposely permitted in order that the
| work of reclamation should be as per-
manent as possible. and should provide
| good building sites in both towns.
The admissions to hospital for mala-
ria fell to a very considerable extent.
Only two out of 2eO children. or OF per
cent. residing in Klang and Port SWEET
tenham We're found to contain the para
| site of malaria in November and De-
cember last as against 81 infected chill
dren out of 29S residing in the surround
| ing district or 34.S per cent. The follow
| ing table shows the fall in the amount
OF sick leave granted to officers at the
| two towns during 1901 to 1904 inclusive.
and demonstrates that the expenditure
| for drainage has its economical as well
as it's sanitary advantages.
1901 1902 1908 1904
Sick certificates ...... 2SG 20 q i
Day of leave 1926 1aS % Il
| No officer has suffered since July, 1904
that is, during the worst rnalarial sea-
son.
| DIR. Watson sums uD by saying: "In
whatever direction one turns it is plain
| that the two areas which We're so ma
larious in 1901 are now practically. If
not absolutely, free from the disease,
and that the district surrounding these
| two areas remains much as it was
similar measures not having been I'M
dertaken in the district. He also states
| that 80 per cent. of the breeding places
| of Anopheles have been removed but.
wisely, QOcS not attempt lEe very dilH-
| cult task of estimating the numerical
reduction of the insects themselves. It
| is important to note that he can find
no evidence Of any considerable immi-
grafton of Anophelas into the drained
areas from the extensive breeding
grounds just outside. The possibility Of
such neglecting has always been an eX-
cuse for neglecting anti-mosquito work.
although on mathematical grounds i'm
migration is unlikely 20 compensate for
the reduction due to LEGAL drainage.