228 GNATS OR MOSQUITOES — CHAPTER VIII 



common in the Punjab, especially those which are what we 

 speak of as " pacca" built, there would be no great diffi- 

 culty, but in the ordinary thatched houses of the North- 

 West and lower India, it would tax the best ingenuity, and 

 is practically impossible, unless we can substitute something 

 better for the abominable "ceiling-cloth." 



These vile dirt and vermin traps are, however, I am glad 

 to say, rapidly disappearing. For the Burmese bungalow, 

 it is difficult to suggest any plan of applying the method 

 short of reconstruction. 



I found that the cost of protecting the last bungalow T 

 occupied would be, at present prices in India, about 300 

 rupees (£20), but Celli tells me that suitable wire gauze 

 (about 12 strands to the inch) of American manufacture is 

 obtainable in Italy at much cheaper rates than we have to 

 pay in India, and probably the price would lessen if there 

 were a sufficient demand. Presuming the house to be adapt- 

 able, I believe the simplest plan will be to completely 

 enclose the verandahs with gauze, providing each with a 

 single set of doors. All the other openings would of course 

 require fixed gauze frames, and doors opening elsewhere 

 than on the verandahs would require to be separately fitted 

 up. Possibly the bath-room doors might be left unaltered, 

 their use being prohibited between dawn and 8 a.m., but it 

 would certainly be preferable to fit them up also. The 

 first cost would be of course considerable, but a considerable 

 annual expenditure for " chiks " would be done away with. 



In this, however, as in the case of every essential of 

 health and comfort, the main obstacle as far as officials are 

 concerned, is that we are so constantly moved about from 

 one station to another, that any attempts at improvements 

 of a permanent character are ruinous, as the houses are 

 rented from native landlords, who often are with difficulty 

 persuaded to keep the roof over our heads weather-tight. 

 In the case of permanent residents, however, I believe in 

 the long run a distinct saving would result. " Chiks " are at 

 the best a lame defence against either flies or mosquitoes, 

 but if nothing better be obtainable must be made the best 

 of, and this means that we must absolutely reverse our 



