﻿NO. 7 SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, I926 6^ 



Although malaria is very prevalent on the island, the members 

 of the expedition enjoyed excellent health. Mosquitoes were a pest, 

 and none of the hovises was screened. The Europeans and natives 

 alike protect themselves by means of mosquitO' nets only at night. 

 No effort is made to rid the villages of breeding places for mosquitoes. 

 I found that one of the main sources of mosquitoes is the large 

 cement tub or tank that holds the bathing water at every dwelling, 

 the daily bath being taken by dipping the water out of the tank 

 with a small bucket and pouring it over the body. The water in 

 these tanks becomes stagnant, as they seldom go dry. and sO' becomes 

 a perfect incubator for mosquitoes. The water as used is replenished 



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Fif;. 66. — Poeloetikus Island, Indian Ocean. (Photograph by Kellers.) 



two or three times a week during the dry season from surface 

 wells, and during the wet season, rain is caught by means of wooden 

 troughs leading from the roofs. 



It is remarkable what cleaning up and proper drainage will do to 

 eradicate the mosquito. The Kaba Wetan Coffee Plantation, situated 

 about four kilometers from the astronomical station, is clean and 

 well drained. The bath house of the manager's residence is screened, 

 but there are no screens in the living quarters. It was a pleasure to 

 remain there and rest without the heavy nets at night. The manager 

 stated that he seldom had a mosquito in or about the house. 



All water used for drinking and domestic purposes comes from 

 surface wells and the question uppermost in one's mind is : Plas it 

 been boiled ? The day's drinking water is boiled in the morning and 

 kept in covered containers until used. The natives are not particular in 

 regard to the water they drink, and suffer considerably from dysen- 



