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252. In 1908 the Special Committee, appointed by Government in 1906
to enquire into the supposed increasing prevalence of malaria and other fevers
in Bombay, presented their report; but in this report the question of malaria
was dismissed very briefly, and beyond referring to the leaky condition of the
reservoirs and filters at Malabar Hill and Bhandarwada Hill as a cause of
malaria in those localities, and advising that steps should be taken to remedy
this condition, no recommendations were made regarding the adoption of
specific measures against malaria. But in the same year malaria became
increasingly prevalent in Bombay, a serious epidemic being reported from
Frere Road. The Executive Health Officer, on being asked to report upon
the matter, stated that all stagnant pools in the new Dock compound were
being frequently treated with pesterine by the Municipality as in 1907;
and he recommended that the Port Trust should be asked to take up the
question also.
253. In July 1908 the Corporation passed a resolution to the effect-
"That the Commissioner be requested to report whether action under
Section 377 or any other Section of the Municipal Act cannot be taken
against those whose premises in the Frere Road, Fort, have been
known to be in such unwholesome or filthy condition as has proved
dangerous to the health of the inhabitants of that locality, and especially
the Port Trustees in respect of the large area of marshy land near the
New Docks which is, in the opinion of the Health Officer and the
Executive Engineer, the cause of the prevalence of malarial fever in
Frere Road and, if so, to state the necessary action and to report the
result to the Corporation."
254. Following upon this the Municipal Commissioner addressed the Port
Trust, and as a result the Agent of the New Dock Contractors undertook to
drain off or fill in as many pools on the high ground as possible and treat the
remaining one with pesterine, and also to cut down the grass. The Acting
Executive Health Officer also addressed letters to the Presidency Executive
Engineer regarding pools in the compound of the new General Post Office in
the Frere Road, the Engineers of the G. I. P. and B. B. and C. I. Railways
regarding pools and quarry holes in the railway yards adjoining Frere Road,
and to the Physician in-Charge of St. George's Hospital regarding the condition
of the hospital compound, which also adjoin Frere Road.
255. On September 17th, 1908, an assistant Sanitary Inspector and four
men were deputed for special mosquito destruction work in Ward A. and a Sub-
Inspector and four men for similar duties in each of Wards B., D., and E.,
respectively. The Executive Health Officer stated that these gangs were
intended to supplement in a systematic way the work done by the usual
sanitary staff in destroying mosquitoes. It may be inferred from the appoint-
ment of these gangs for anti-mosquito work late in 1908, that the small special
staff appointed for that purpose in 1902 and 1903 had been discontinued
in the interval.
256. In spite of these measures a severe outbreak of malaria occurred in
the last quarter of 1908, the disease being especially prevalent in the Frere Road,
near the docks. The work of the port was greatly interfered with owing to the
occurrence of fever among the shipping coolies and staff of the port and the
G. I. P. Railway had great difficulty in maintaining their daily complement
of trains on account of sickness among their guards and drivers. Owing to
the prevalence of malaria many coolies and boatmen left the City-a fact borne
out by the statement of the Civil Surgeon of Ratngiri, who reported that a large
number of people from Bombay were suffering from malignant tertian fever.
257. In November 1908 the Bombay Government decided that in view of
the serious loss of life and health, and the grave embarrassment that had been
caused to the business of the City and the trade of the port, immediate action
should be taken to investigate the causes of the outbreak and to devise measures
of prevention for the future.