of the late Sickness at Akyab. 35 



solute necessity of increasing the number in the town of Akyab. 

 According to the last census, there was a population numbering 4,966 

 souls, while in the suburbs of the town, there were 9,291, making 

 the total number of human beings 14,257, which number excludes the 

 Government servants and prisoners. To supply the wants of these 

 people only, the conveniences before alluded to exist. The necessity 

 for wells likewise in a sanatory point of view, is the more cogent, 

 when it is again remembered, that all the natural reservoirs are brack- 

 ish from the admixture of salt water. Every suburb should be 

 supplied with its well, and there should be an addition of several in 

 the town of Akyab ; their construction is much too expensive for 

 private enterprize, as the sides require to be made with pucca mate- 

 rials ; and they should be kept clean under police regulations. 



21. One of the principal sanatory suggestions which will be re- 

 marked upon, yet remains to be spoken of, — the evils of a crowded 

 population, increasing the difficulties of free ventilation and drainage. 

 There are parts of the town of Akyab where, from the greater number 

 of inhabitants, the greatest quantity of filth is accumulated, and these 

 are situations in low swampy places on the borders of the large 

 nullahs, and where good drainage is peculiarly difficult of attainment. 

 Men, women, animals, and rank vegetation are huddled together in 

 the most curious and heterogeneous confusion ; and by their presence, 

 impeding ventilation, preventing drainage, and producing disease from 

 decomposition of the filth accumulated. This congregating together 

 in detached bodies, seems originally to have had its origin in a feeling 

 of mutual support, and is seen in all barbarous people over the face 

 of the globe. So strong is this early and natural impression, and so 

 sedulously is the principle inculcated by example, that the most 

 stringent regulation on the part of the executive is necessary to pre- 

 vent so pernicious a practice from taking place. 



22. Although some parts of the town of Akyab have been laid out in 

 the most judicious manner, there are others in which the evil complain- 

 ed of, demands immediate attention, or the mischief will be rapidly 

 increased ; it will be necessary to find out the most expeditious and at 

 the same time easy mode, by which the evil complained of can be 

 suppressed ; and the plan which offers the most convenience is, by the 



