SANITATION AND HYGIENE ON TROPICAL ESTATES 85 



advantage of the system is that the immigrant has a period 

 of rest after the voyage, and is well fed for a week before 

 commencing work, and as many of them only come 

 because they are poor and possibly on the verge of 

 destitution in India, the benefits of a rest and good food 

 are considerable, and it has been found that all gain 

 weight during their detention in the camp; thus they start 

 work in better physical condition than if they were sent 

 direct to the place of their employment. A Labour Code 

 (No. 6 of 1912) is in force which provides for the pro- 

 tection of the health of labourers. 



Protection measures on individual estates will now be 

 discussed, and it is first necessary to mention the dangers 

 a labour force in the tropics is confronted with. The 

 most important are cholera, dysentery, ankylostomiasis, 

 small-pox, and malaria. Cholera, dysentery, and anky- 

 lostomiasis can be prevented by attention to water supply 

 and sanitation. When water is obtained from a stream 

 or spring this must be kept uncontaminated, and when 

 obtained from a well, the well should be lined, covered, 

 and fitted with a pump, care being taken that no seepage 

 can find its way into it from the near neighbourhood. 

 Open wells are dangerous : not only can various objection- 

 able matter be thrown into them and dirty vessels be used 

 for lifting water out, but coolies habitually dip their loin 

 cloths into open wells, and this is obviously attended with 

 evil consequences. Drinking water in the tropics is 

 generally warm and particularly suited to the develop- 

 ment of disease germs, and the greatest possible care of 

 it will be well repaid. Daily efficient scavenging and the 

 provision of adequate latrine accommodation near the 

 barracks of a labour force will keep down the incidence 

 of dysentery and prevent the spread of ankylostomiasis. 

 If the manager in control of a plantation takes peculiar 

 care of these two necessaries of life drinking water and 

 scavenging he will go a long way towards keeping his 

 labour force healthy and fit for work. Small-pox will be 

 prevented by vaccination. 



Malaria is- undoubtedly one of the greatest scourges in 

 the tropics. It is argued and there is good reason for 

 accepting the argument that the movements of peoples 



