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(c) Special investigation in malarious districts with a view
to the eradication of disease,
(d) Local mosquito surveys for the abatement of mosquito
nuisances.
(e) Co-operation with Government Departments, the Mili- tary, Naval and Air Forces, Public Companies and private individuals with regard to the investigation and eradication of malaria.
(f) The teaching of mosquitology.
A full account of the activities of the Bureau will be found in the Appendix.
174. The information so far collected indicates that the principal agents in the spread of malaria are Anopheles minimus and Anopheles Jeyporiensis which breed in small pools and col lections of spring water subject to the influence of light and usually situated in areas which are hilly or undulating. Water in contact with newly opened earth in these regions is especially dangerous.
175. Jungle bush and undergrowth in so far as they provide shade to pools and collections of spring water, hinder rather than promote the spread of malaria.
176. The Public Works Department carry out all anti-malaria works on Crown Lands other than oiling. Each year a sum is inserted for the training of nullahs' and each year work to the limit of the sum sanctioned is carried out. There can be no doubt that the disappearance of malaria from the populated areas is to a large measure due to the excellent drainage works carried out by this department.
177. The Public Works Department and the Malaria Bureau co-operated to the fullest extent.
Preventive Measures against Plague.
178. In the campaign against plague the routine measures which have been in vogue since the disease was at its height were continued. They were:—
(a) Periodical cleansing of premises.
(b) Abolition of rat refuges such as ceiling, stair linings
and panellings,
(c) Destruction of rats.
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179. In the crowded areas where the houses are packed with humans and their belongings, the periodical cleansing of premises is a most important factor in the prevention of the spread of this disease. All the furniture, moveable fittings and household goods are removed from the rooms and cubicles and all floors and wood- work washed down with an emulsion of soap and kerosene oil. This is done either by the Sanitary staff or by the occupiers under the general supervision of the district inspector in addition ac- cummulated rubbish of all kinds is cleared away and the premises thoroughly searched for rat-holes. Altogether 211,657 Aoors were dealt with during the year.
180. Thirty members of the cleansing staff were employed in setting traps, bird liming boards, distributing barium carbonate baits, and collecting rodents which had been taken living or dead, By far the greatest number of rats were taken dead from the numerous rat reception bins or tins which are placed in con- venient situations throughout the two cities. The Chinese take exception to the rats being found on their premises by the Sani- tary staff, probably through fear of extra sanitary measures being. taken against them, and it is not uncommon for them to kill the redents found in the Government traps and to throw the carcases into the reception bins. The total number of rats collected was 174,289 of which 12.792 only were taken alive. All rats collected were sent to the Public Mortuaries for examination by the Medi- cal Officer in charge.
181. During the year no rats were found to be plague in- Eected.
Preventive Measures Against Smallpox.
182. Under the Vaccination Ordinance all Public Vaccina- tors are under the Director of Medical and Sanitary Services who is Superintendent of Vaccination. As Registrar of Births and Deaths the Director is responsible for ensuring the vaccina. tion of all children whose births are registered.
183. During the year 279,420 persons or nearly one third of
the total population were vaccinated.
The following table shows the principal bodies engaged in vaccinating and the number of operations performed by each.
The Public Vaccinators
51,054
The Government Hospitals
2.997
The Chinese Public Dispensaries The St. John Ambulance Brigade
37,875
.187,49-1
Total
.279,420
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