GENERAL SANITATION OF THE TOWN OF BELIZE. 
Drainage ok Belize and Anti-malarial Prophylaxis. 
With the drainage of Belize is intimately associated the diminution of 
malaria and the purification of the soil. As the photographs which illustrate 
this chapter show, a considerable portion of the town is submerged, with 
resulting discomfort, dirt, and want of ready means of access for inspecting 
purposes. (Pigs. 7-12.) 
It is not my purpose to enter into a subject which will be fully and 
technically dealt with by the Superintendent of Public Works, but there are 
aspects of the drainage of Belize which profoundly affect the health of the 
community, and which require investigation. I refer to the following : — 
1. Shallow drains running alongside many of the principal streets. 
2. Depressed and water- soaked waste areas in the town. 
3. Waterlogged and submerged lots. 
4. Deep ditches alongside certain roadways. 
1. Shallow Roadside Drains . — Belize is very low-lying, the soil is porous, 
and the ground-water stands very high. Rain rapidly soaks through the thin 
porous crust. At the side of a considerable number of the larger and shorter 
streets, shallow road drains have been made. (Figs. 13-16. ) Upon a few 
of these much energy is spent in keeping the weeds from choking them ; 
nevertheless, the greater proportion were weed-grown when I examined them. 
The drains are shallow, and in dry weather would contain no water ; the 
water which is present is for the most part clear. I examined a very large 
number of them for larvae, and found the Anopheles predominating- this was 
especially so to the west of the canal, at the rear of Government House, 
and at the North of the town. The places are indicated on the mosquito 
plan. 
Owing to the very high level of the ground-water in certain seasons the 
water in the shallow side drains may be taken to represent in many instances the 
ground-water level. In other words, they are long shallow artificial puddles in a 
water-soaked soil. During a heavy rain, if the centre of the road is graded 
towards them they take off the rush and pass it slowly along. When the rain 
has ceased, owing to their exceedingly small fall, and to the innumerable weeds 
which act as a sponge, the water remains and the larvae breed. In very many 
cases, however, they do not even serve to take the water from the roadway, as, 
owing to their being periodically raked, the detritus and sand which is removed 
is left on the side of the roadway, and the latter becomes itself gradually converted 
into a shallow drain. 
