PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TLCO 885
23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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Where the Principal Civil Medical Officer approves these recommendations, they should be communicated to the superintendent with a view to their adoption. these recommendations have not been carried out at the end of three months, Government shall be empowered to enforce the Principal Civil Medical Officer's recommendations at the expense of the estate.
(6) With regard to the question of the improvement of sanitation on estates, we recommend that every set of lines and its immediate surroundings should be cleaned and swept once every day. All sweepings should be burnt or buried. The evidence tended to show that more line sweepers should be employed. At least 12 feet clear of all vegetation must be maintained round the lines. Stone, brick rendered in cement, or cement concrete drains should be constructed to carry off rain from the roofs and from the immediate vicinity of the lines. The immediate vicinity of the lines should be on a lower level than the floor of the lines and slope downwards from them, with the object of keeping the ground surrounding the lines as dry as possible, as the All excreta deposited within 50 feet hookworm flourishes in damp earth. of the lines should be removed daily and buried by the sweeper.
(7) At all bathing places, whether at spouts, wells, or riverside, there should be stone or paved platforms with a properly constructed run-off drain where necessary. This is with the object of preventing the re-infection of Wells for bathing coolies through the feet when standing on damp earth. and wells for drinking water should be kept separate.
(8) To prevent contamination of the water supply for drinking purposes, closed iron piping is strongly recommended. Open coffee spouting should be condemned. Wells should be lined with brick pointed with cement and have parapet walls, and a surrounding platform 4 feet wide of stone paving, cement concrete, or brick cement rendered, and a surrounding drain to conduct the waste water away. Wells for domestic and drinking purposes should be covered and provided with a pump.
(9) Whilst recognizing the great importance of latrines on estates, we are forced to the conclusion from the evidence given that it is not at present advisable to recommend their general compulsory adoption, but we would urge on all employers of labour the desirability of establishing them, especially for bungalow coolies, factory coolies, school children, and Public Works Depart- ment lines.
(10) The attention of agents, visiting agents, and managers of estates should be invited to the recommendations of the Committee, and they should be specially requested to do all in their power to give effect to them.
(11) The question of the segregation of newly-arrived coolies has had our careful consideration, but we do not consider that it would be practicable. Great delay would be involved thereby, and the recommendation of the general treatment of all new coolies should, in our opinion, fully suffice.
4. The Committee are confident that the adoption of the measures which have been recommended above will prevent the spread of the disease without disorgan- izing the labour force of the Island, and without involving much unnecessary cost to the employers of labour.
24th August, 1910.
HERBERT K. HILLYER,
Secretary.
We have, &c.,
H. L. CRAWFORD. W. H. JACKSON. ALLAN PERRY, M.D. JOSEPH C. DUNBAR. F. H. LAYARD.
MEDICAL RULES FOR THE TREATMENT ON ESTATES OF COOLIES WITH HOOKWORMS (ANCHYLOSTOMIASIS).
For the purposes of this treatment coolies are to be separated into two groups : (a) The new arrivals; (b) the residents of longer standing.
(a) As to the New Arrivals.-It has been ascertained that practically all Tamil coolies on arrival in Ceylon harbour hookworms; therefore, superintendents or estate dispensers should give every newly-arrived adult coolie 15 grains beta- naphthol (3 tabloids) at 6 a.m. on an emtpy stomach, and a second dose of 15 grains
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the same day one hour before the evening meal. Half-ounce of Epsom salts dissolved in a little water should be given on the following morning. Children from 5 years to 13 years should be given 5 grains beta-naphthol (1 tabloid) at 6 a.m., and another 5 grains beta-naphthol one hour before the evening meal, and a teaspoonful of Epsom salts the following morning.
Note. It is most important that neither arrack nor oil of any kind should be taken either before or after the doses of beta-naphthol.
(b) As to Residents of longer standing. The signs of anchylostomiasis are feebleness of body, swelling of ankles, puffiness of face, and very pale gums, tongue, inside of eyelids (anemia). If not sufficiently ill to be sent to hospital, adult coolies should be treated on the estate with a dose of 30 grains (6 tabloids) beta- naphthol at 6 a.m. on an empty stomach and half-ounce of Epsom salts the following morning. A second dose of 30 grains beta-naphthol at 6 a.m. on the seventh day after the first dose, to be followed by half-ounce of Epsom salts on the next morning. After the second dose of beta-naphthol and salts 1 tabloid of carbonate of iron (5 grains) should be given twice a day after meals for a fortnight.
If the symptoms are not greatly improved after the completion of one period of treatment, a second period of treatment should be carried out on exactly the same lines as the first.
Children between 5 and 13 years of age are to be given 5 grains of beta-naphthol where 30 grains are recommended, and half a tabloid (24 grains) of carbonate of iron where 5 grains are recommended above.
In carrying out this treatment, as in the case of new coolies, arrack and oil should be entirely prohibited.
A. PERRY, M.D. Colombo, 3rd August, 1910.
Enclosure 3 in No. 9.
CEYLON.
ORDINANCE Enacted by the Governor of CEYLON, WITH THE ADVICE And consent OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THEREOF.
No. 10 of 1912.
An Ordinance to prevent the spread of Diseases among Labourers. HENRY McCallum.
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide measures to prevent the spread of Preamble. diseases among
labourers upon agricultural estates and other places: Be it therefore enacted by the Governor of Ceylon, by and with the advice and consent of the Legis- lative Council thereof, as follows:--
and com-
1. This Ordinance may be cited as "The Diseases (Labourers) Ordinance, No. Short title 10 of 1912," and it shall come into operation on such date as the Governor, by Proclamation in the "Government Gazette," may appoint.
2. In this Ordinance-
"Disease" means any disease which may from time to time be proclaimed
by the Governor in Executive Council under this Ordinance. "District medical officer" means a duly qualified medical practitioner registered under sections 12 and 13 of Ordinance No. 2 of 1905, and attached to a Government hospital or dispensary. 'Superintendent means any person in the immediate charge of any
estate.
"Prescribed " means prescribed by rules made under this Ordinance. "Labourer" includes kangany and female labourer, and any child or
other relative of any labourer resident upon the same estate.
mencement.
Definitions.
3. This Ordinance shall apply to all agricultural estates of which ten acres or Application of more are cultivated.
Provided that in any case in which a provincial surgeon is satisfied that any disease in fact prevails upon an agricultural estate with a lesser area of cultivation, he may, by written notice under his hand addressed to the owner or superintendent of the estate, direct that the provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to such estate, and upon the service of such notice upon the owner or superintendent the said pro- visions shall apply accordingly.
Provided further that in any case in which the Governor in Executive Council is satisfied that the labourers employed by any Government Department or by any employer of labour other than a superintendent are housed under such conditions
B 2
Onlinance.