20

     I have previously mentioned the presence in the area of several native
communities, viz., the regimental bazaar, the syce lines and hospital followers'
lines. The people living in these, especially the children, form a much more
suitable community for testing the efficacy of the operations than the troops.
It is, however, obvious that if by mosquito destruction operations the
health of native communities is improved, the station is also rendered more
healthy for troops. In discussing the effect upon malaria we may therefore
notice:—

     (a) Native malaria.—A comparison between malaria in the bazaars within
the area and malaria outside the area as evidenced by the endemic indices,
appeared to show that in spite of the poor results as regards adult anopheles, a
distinct effect was produced upon malaria. During August and September of the
present year the endemic index of both the Royal Artillery bazaar and the hospi-
tal followers' lines remained phenomenally low, being 0 and 4, respectively. The
spleen rate was however higher in proportion, being 36 per cent. and 41 per cent.
respectively. During the same months malaria in the British Infantry bazaar was
much as in other years, the spleen rate being 70 per cent. and the endemic index 30.
This highly satisfactory state of affairs was unfortunately not maintained through-
out the season, and it was found impossible to prevent the rate in the bazaars from
rising in October and November. In these two months the endemic indices in
bazaars in the area were high and apparently quite uninfluenced by the opera-
tions. We shall see later that all our results pointed to the same conclusion,
namely, that by the operations the onset of the fever season was postponed, but
that after the first two months no effect upon malaria was apparent.

     Table showing spleen rates in bazaars within and outside the area of
operations :—