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Ceylon, and as their occupants do not contract malaria in them, it is not, therefore, necessary to provide specially protected apartments.

Third Suggestion (c.). The danger of mosquitoes and the methods for their destruction are well known to government officials and the educated classes.

Fourth Suggestion (d.). Mosquito curtains of approved material are generally used by European officials.

Fifth Suggestion (e.). In all rest-houses in malarial districts a pamphlet pre- pared by Dr. Perry, Principal Civil Medical Officer, at my suggestion, is exhibited.

The notice compiled by Dr. Manson will be widely distributed.

Sixth Suggestion (f). Instruction on this subject is being imparted by Dr. Chalmers at the Ceylon Medical College.

3. In conclusion, I would add that the Principal Civil Medical Officer has directed all medical officers and apothecaries of the Ceylon Medical Service to search for the anopheles mosquito, and they have been instructed as to how this mosquito can best be destroyed.

Quinine is obtainable by every individual in the Island free of charge. 4. I enclose copy of a report by Dr. Chalmers on the subject.

I have, &c.,

WEST RIDGEWAY.

Enclosure in No. 64.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT on Malaria in Ceylon with a view to its Prevention, by Albert J. Chalmers, M.D., F.R.C.S., Registrar, the Ceylon Medical College.

I. Introductory.

CONTENTS.

Introduction.

Part I.—Malaria and the Anopheles.

II. The relative position of Malaria in the diseases of Ceylon.. III. The relationship between Malaria and the Rainfall.

IV. The Anopheles, and its haunts.

V. The investigation of Malarial Localities.

Part II.—Habits and Customs of the People.

I.--Introductory.

II. The Dwellings of the different peoples.

III. The Habits of the different peoples.

IV.The Cultivation of Rice.

V-Swamps.

VI.-The Education of the people with regard to the causation and prevention

of Malaria

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VII. The Governmental, Medical and Apothecary Services with regard to

Malaria.

I.-Introductory.

Part III-The Prevention.

II.—The Prevention of infection of Man by the Anopheles by Man.

Part IV. Summary of Proposals. Addendum 1.

A Theory to explain how Man and the Anopheles originally became infected with the Malarial parasite.

Addendum 11.

Pamphlet distributed to the various Stations.

Addendum III.

List of Illustrations and the Illustrations.

Colombo,

June 10, 1901.

SIR,

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Introduction.

I BEG to forward the Report on malaria as ordered and trust that it will meet with your approval.

In order that a report upon the prevention of malaria in a given district may be of any value, in my opinion it must take into consideration whether or no malaria is the most important disease of that district, and if so the time of the year at which it is most prevalent, together with the names and habits of the anopheles. In order that this may be done properly it must be done systematically, and therefore it is necessary to state a system to be worked upon. (Part I.)

It is also necessary to study the habits, dwellings, and customs of the people, and any trades in which they may engage which may tend to the propagation of malaria, and to say something concerning the swamps which inundate the country. It is also necessary to state how the masses are to be educated concerning the methods. of preventing the disease (Part II.).

After this the known methods of prevention should be discussed and those most suitable for Ceylon stated (Part III.)

Having obtained these data, a scheme for the application of known methods of prevention can then be devised (Part IV.)

It has been thought necessary to add three Addenda at the end of the Report. Addendum I. gives a theory to explain how man may possibly have become infected with the malarial germ, and how the mosquito took up its rôle in the disease. In other words it deals with the possible evolution of the malarial parasite, and, therefore, with the possible evolution of the disease “malaria."

Addendum II. contains a pamphlet which has been widely circulated by your

orders.

Addendum III. gives the list of illustrations and contains the illustrations of the

Report.

Finally I wish to express my gratitude to you for your valuable help for the deep interest you have so kindly taken in these few investigations, and to Dr. Griffin for many kindnesses and suggestions with regard to the report, and to Dr. Fernando for several suggestions.

The photographs have been in all instances taken from my camera by Mr. Silva, Assistant in Pathology in the College, to whom I am much indebted. All the charts were originally made by me, but copied accurately by Mr. de Silva.

To the Principal Civil Medical Officer,

Colombo.

ALBERT J. CHALMERS,

Registrar,

The Ceylon Medical College.

Part I.—Malaria and the Anopheles. I.-Introduction.

In this part an attempt is made to show that malaria is, according to statistics,

one of the most important of the diseases in Ceylon, and that it is most prevalent directly after the height of the rains.

That this is due to the anopheles coming out from hibernation at the commence- ment of the rains and increasing their species during the rains, and consequently being able to infect human beings. These two factors put together show that the rains in Ceylon are the malarial period.

The anopheles already found will be described briefly, and it will be hinted that possibly all anopheles. are not capable of developing the germ.

Finally a scheme for enquiring thoroughly into the malaria and its causation in Ceylon is indicated.

II. The relative position of Malaria in the Diseases of Ceylon.

In Chart I. will, be found curves illustrating the total number of cases of disease treated at the various Medical Institutions of Ceylon 1898 and 1899. It will

be noticed at a glance that there is a sharp rise in the total number of cases of disease in the month of January in both years. When a little more attention is paid to the curves it will be noticed that the rise commences in October, progresses through Novem-

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