1887-1903
COLONIAL REPORTS-MISCELLANEOUS.
337
27
fields, where the rain-washing would be least marked, and in a marshy sluggish stream, into which the paddy-fields drain, to the north-west of the Government buildings, where also the disturbance by the storm would be at a minimum.
We direct special attention to two important points: (1) that the breeding-pools that proved most resistant to the severe strain of the recent rain-storm, and which even at this late date in the year contain abundant larvae, are within 80 yards from the Police Station and 40 yards from the matshed occupied by the Civil Staff; and (2) that the marshy stream above referred to is a permanent and prolific breeding-ground.
6. We examined under the microscope the blood of ten children from the village nearest to the Police Station. At first we had some difficulty in obtaining the necessary specimens, but having finally persuaded a chair-coolie to bring his own son we presented the child with a five-cent piece, and let it be known that we were willing to pay for blood at the rate of five cents per drop, whereupon more children turned up than our time permitted us to deal with. Results were as follows:
Sex Age Type of Parasite Found M. Benign Tertian Gamete F. Benign Tertian Rosette M. 14 Nil M. 9 Nil M. Aestivo-Autumnal Gamete M. 15 Nil F. 5 Young Aestivo-Autumnal M. 14 Young Aestivo-Autumnal M. 9 Nil ४ NilThus in 50 per cent. of the cases examined we found the parasites of Malaria; and when it is borne in mind that the amount of blood examined in any case did not exceed the size of a pin's head, and that in no case did time allow us to take a second specimen, it will be apparent that the actual prevalence of Malaria among the village children is probably greater than the percentage above named. Two cases were of benign type and three malignant, and while all five children were infective to the mosquito, rendering any anopheles feeding upon them capable of a few days later transmitting the disease to other persons, in two cases the form of the parasite that actually came under our observation was the gamete, i.e., the form which when ingested by the mosquito is capable of undergoing metamorphosis in the body of that insect.
7. In the abundance of mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus above described, with their breeding-grounds almost close up to the Government buildings, and in the near proximity of an extensively infected native population, by which many of these mosquitoes are being continuously rendered infective to healthy persons who may be bitten by them, we have the factors that account sufficiently and conclusively for the fevers that have prevailed among the Government officers at Táipó.
We are of opinion that the seasonal increase of fever cases that has been observed at the time of ploughing, and at the period of harvesting