TYPHOID FEVER 139 



advent of the house-fly in Poona and the seasonal prevalence of 

 enteric fever, which is highly significant and at least suggests 

 that a prima facie case has been established for further investi- 

 gation." 



In connection with Ainsworth's observations Quills' (1905) 

 experiences several years before are of interest. " I well re- 

 member an experience at Poona which will bear relating. 

 Enteric fever, at the time I speak of, was very prevalent at that 

 Station, and a close observation was being made in relation to 

 the cause of the outbreak. Among other matters it was con- 

 sidered advisable to make an inspection of the place where the 

 sewage of the city of Poona was deposited. This place was 

 some two miles from the city, and about an equal distance from 

 the barracks. When some half a mile from the odoriferous spot 

 we were in search of a ' booming sound ' was heard, the cause 

 of which was a mystery. We continued our journey ; the 

 ' booming sound ' steadily increased in intensity, and explained 

 itself on the sewage ground being reached. There we found 

 three large tanks, one full, the others partly full, of putrescent 

 filth, giving out an overpowering stench ; on the surface of these 

 filth tanks was an incredible swarm of flies, all busily engaged 

 in sucking in the foul, green corruption. The buzzing of these flies 

 was the cause of the ' booming sound ' which had so puzzled us 

 when first heard over half a mile distant. The putrid contents 

 of these tanks was eagerly bought by natives for agricultural 

 purposes — a suggestive subject. But further, what of the poison- 

 laden flies? Did they migrate? If so, where to, and with what 

 result?" 



Perhaps the station from which the most interesting series of 

 reports is available is Nasirabad. Odium (1908) records the 

 conditions prevailing there about ten years ago. " In 1903, the 

 Seaforth Highlanders, stationed at Nasirabad, suffered from a 

 very bad epidemic of typhoid fever, and when all other means 

 had failed, it was decided to try to exterminate the flies. This 

 at first appeared to be a hopeless task, as we were not then con- 

 versant with the habits and methods of breeding of these insects. 

 Finally the flies disappeared and enteric ceased. We had not 

 a case of enteric fever in Nasirabad from July 1905 to August 



