CHAPTER XXV 



THE HEALTH OF THE CACAO ESTATE 



Many people have been impressed with the idea that it is 

 impossible for Europeans or Americans to maintain their 

 health upon a cacao estate. 



That some estates are in unhealthy situations may be 

 admitted ; tbut hat cacao estates are unhealthy as a rule 

 is very far from the truth. 



Some estates have possibly been planted in districts 

 which are badly drained, but these are in the minority ; 

 and the greater number of Trinidad estates have been 

 placed in selected positions where, if care is exercised in 

 observing hygienic principles in the arrangement of 

 surroundings to dwellings, healthy and comfortable 

 residential quarters can be made on a cacao estate as well 

 as in any other place. Malarial fever is admitted to be 

 present in the island, but it is generally looked upon as 

 a mild affliction, in no way dangerous except when com- 

 plications ensue. 



This fever is spread by the mosquito, and planters have 

 now learned the measures to be adopted to reduce the 

 chances of infection. I have known a case where a gentle- 

 man of strong physique was constantly attacked with fever 

 at intervals for several years, but who now resides in the 

 same district without attack. This has been entirely due 

 to necessary hygienic measures being adopted. If you 

 have a residence where heavy trees are covered with 

 numerous water-holding plants, with yards where there 

 are stagnant pools, with guttering and drains defective or 

 choked, it follows that the mosquito is present in numbers, 



and if a fever patient enters the area the immediate circle 



2!)e 



