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none of the line partitions are over nine feet high, all cubicle floors are 
3 ft. 6 ins, from the ground and open underneath. (Plans of this and 
other hygienic lines are attached). . 
Of about 15 estates with which I am familiar, the healthiest is 
one on which the above type of lines are in occupation, and I believe 
I am correct when l state that the only type of disease which has 
affected that estate of recent years, has been epidemic in character, 
and introduced from without. As, however, on many estates the old- 
fashioned type of lines have been erected, I would suggest that t e\ 
be altered as soon as possible, by the removal of the upper two layers 
of side attaps, and the removal of the attaps which extend to the 
ground (and so close the space under the benches), and that they be 
replaced as soon as possible by one of the type suggested. (Appendix 
plans). 
An excessive height off the ground is almost as obnoxious as 
excessive proximity to the earth, because if the lines are too high t e 
underneath will be used as a hen-house or store, in all human 
probability. . 
Of the two forms of ventilation— the overhead and the underneath 
—the latter is perhaps the more to be insisted upon as we know that 
animal CO2 gas as exhaled, is most poisonous, and also that its specihc 
gravity is greater than air, therefore, in the absence of draughts by 
under ventilation, it is obviously only a matter of time and opportunity 
to become suffocated by it. t 
We now come to the questiqn of Sanitation at the lines. Everyone 
who has had anything td do with the' Tamil coolie is aware of his 
roaming habits under certain circumstances, his love of varietx and 
the fields, or preferably thg road or pathway, but that Tamil coolies 
or Chinese coolies or any other coolies cannot be gently but firmly 
educated I absolutely decline to believe ! 
Now, under existing Sanitary — perhaps I might indeed say insani- 
tary — arrangements on the majority of estates in this country, 1 
submit that the unfortunate coolie w’ho gets “a tummyache at say 
1 a.m., should not be blamed by the inspecting doctor or agent the 
next day, in the garish sunlight, for filthy habits, in other words 
“ until proper sanitary accommodation becomes a feature of every coolie 
lines in the country and a special coolie be detailed to„ look after the matter , 
disease must continue tp exist amongst the whole class” 
The type of latrine to be erected is of the simplest, an attap- 
roofed shed elevated above the surrounding ground level, with a trench 
for buckets or to be filled in with a mixture of dry earth and lime daily 
to a depth of about three inches, the trench protected from storm- 
water by means of ordinary earth drains around it, and sufficiently 
removed in its situation from the main water supply to prevent contami- 
nation — this will suffice to prevent an enormous amount of illness. I 
attach some plans of suitable buildings. 
