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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TITCO 885

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23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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7. Latrines.-This question is the greatest stumbling block of progress, and the lack of any system of conservancy, despite repeatedly dinning-in its necessity, is the most serious deterrent to the eradication of ankylostomiasis and its sequelae. This disease affects, at the lowest possible estimate, 50 per cent, of the low-country labour force, and the deaths debited to diarrhoea and dysentery, which constitute the large majority of deaths on these estates, are primarily due to ankylostomiasis, of which the two conditions named are later symptoms. I have recently examined the excreta of a few of those so-called dysenteries with a negative result as to amoeba or bacilli. The conviction, which time and a further investigation will bear out, is that these cases are pseudo dysenteries, and have nothing to do with any other factor than ankylostomiasis. The older planters are of opinion that only legislation and deterrent punishment will bring about unanimity on this matter, segregation and treatment of the affected, cleansing of infected lines, and the cessation of imported cases from India.

8. I regard malaria as entirely subservient to ankylostomiasis. In the up- country tea estates, apart from the debatable question of "carriers," the breeding places of the anopheline are usually swamps and paddy fields, or disused wells. In the low-country, where there is a rocky formation, I have observed that while tea cultivation is comparatively free from outbreaks of malaria where marshes or paddy fields are absent, rubber cultivation is prone to lead to malarial infection-the source of which are "anophelenes " breeding in rock pools which contain alga-the shade of the rubber assisting the development of the mosquito. In tea these pools are either dry or do not contain algæ.

9. In conclusion, while, as stated, figures are not, available, and progress is slow, there is undoubtedly a desire not only to get advice, but to act on it, and while one becomes impatient at the slow adoption of the elements of sanitation and neces- sary measures of prevention, it is gratifying to know that the sanitation of estates has recently received a fillip in interest, which it is to be hoped will be maintained.

J. LUNN, Colombo, 14th January, 1914.

Inspecting Medical Officer.

Enclosure 2 in No. 16.

[EXTRACT FROM THE "CEYLON Government Gazette," No. 6,571, OF 11TH JULY,

1913.]

"THE DISEASES (Labourers) ORDINANCE, No. 10 or 1912."

It is hereby notified that the following rules under Section 12 of "The Diseases (Labourers) Ordinance, No. 10 of 1912," applicable to the whole Colony, have been made by the Principal Civil Medical Officer, with the approval of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government in Executive Council.

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Colombo, 9th July, 1913.

Rules under Section 12 of

By His Excellency's command, L. W. BOOTH, Acting Colonial Secretary.

The Diseases (Labourers) Ordinance, No. 10 of 1912," applicable to the whole Colony, made by the Principal Civil Medical Officer, with the approval of the Officer Administering the Government in Executive Council.

1. Permanent lines shall be as far removed as possible from jungle and swamps. They shall be built on high ground on a dry site with efficient drainage; they shall not be situated near villages or insanitary surroundings. They shall not be situated in such close proximity to existing lines as to obstruct light, and the free circulation of air.

2. Latrine buildings shall be of impermeable material throughout and properly drained. The contents of the buckets shall be regularly disposed of either by burning or burial in shallow trenches. Latrines shall be so situated as not to be likely to contaminate water supplies or to be a nuisance to the occupants of buildings.

3. A sufficient number of sweepers shall be provided on each estate to keep the lines and their surroundings clean, to bury or burn all excreta or refuse, and to keep the drains swept at least once a day.

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4. In malarious districts travellers' palms, pineapples, plantains, or cultiva- tion liable to favour the breeding of mosquitoes shall not be allowed near the lines. Pigs, goats, and cattle shall not be kept in any portion of the line buildings.

5. All lines shall be provided with drains to carry off the rain water. Such drains shall be constructed of stone, of brick rendered in cement, or of cement con- crete. They shall have sufficient slope to carry the water well away from the lines, so that no swamps or stagnant pools are left. The immediate vicinity of the lines shall be on a lower level than the floor of the buildings and shall slope downwards from them, and all swamps or pools in the vicinity of lines shall be drained or filled

in.

6. On all estates proper bathing places shall be provided for the use of labourers at spouts, pumps, wells, or riversides where possible, to consist of a stone or cement platform, with a properly constructed run-off drain.

7. It shall be the duty of the superintendent of every estate to provide a suffi- cient supply of potable water for his labour force; such supply shall be free from contamination, If wells are provided, they shall be covered, and be faced or pointed in cement for 10 feet from the surface of the ground, to prevent contami- nation. All water pipes shall be made of iron. Wells must have parapet walls, and be surrounded by a platform of stone, brick cement rendered, or cement con- crete, 4 feet wide, and a peripheral drain to carry off waste water.

"THE DISEASES (Labourers) ORDINANCE, No. 10 of 1912." Notes to Rules made under Section 12 of "The Diseases (Labourers) Ordinance, No. 10 of 1912."

Rule 1.-When possible, skilled advice from the Civil Medical Department should be obtained before finally selecting a site for new lines.

A space of at least 100 feet, where possible, should be kept clear of jungle immediately around lines.

Rule 2.--Where dry-earth latrines are used they should be of one of the two following types:

(1) Trench.-1 ft. wide, 1 ft. deep, and of convenient length. Excrement

to be covered up daily.

(2) Bucket. There should be provision for one bucket for every ten

labourers, with a sufficient scavenging and latrine staff.

Rule 5.-No water should be stored in lines except such as is stored in properly constructed mosquito-proof vessels.

7303

SIR,

No. 17.

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE. [Answered by No. 20.]

Downing Street, 2nd March, 1914. WITH reference to your letter of the 16th February,* notifying the appoint- ment of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir David Semple to represent the Egyptian Govern- ment on the Ankylostomiasis Committee, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to inform you that Mr. Wickliffe Rose, Director of the International Health Com- mission, is expected in London on the 10th March, and that a meeting of the Com- mittee has been called for 3 p.m., on Tuesday, 17th March.

In the event of Sir David Semple not being in this country, Mr. Harcourt will be much obliged if Sir E. Grey will be good enough to nominate a representative to attend the meeting of the Committee, and to give Mr. Rose, at that meeting and during his stay in this country, such information as he may require for the pur- poses of his visit to Egypt.

I am, &c.,

* No. 14.

H. J. READ,

for the Under-Secretary of State.