138 
liand, it has been shown beyond question that vigorous, intelligent 
and persistent anti-malarial measures carried out by a manager who 
has a full knowledge of their value and belief for their necessity will 
bring about so great a change on a highly malarious estate that not 
only is it practicable to re-employ Indian labour but the sick rate and 
mortality from malaria can be brought to very moderate dimensions. 
The accompanying table sets out the deatn-rate among Indian 
labourers in 
the Federated Malay 
Average number of 
States during 
the past six years 
Year. 
Indian estate 
labourers. 
No. of deaths. 
Death-rate. 
1911 
... 110,000 .. 
< 7,162 . 
. 65 per mille 
1912 
... 122,000 .. 
. 5,014 . 
. 41 „ 
1913 
... 133,000 .. 
. 4,057 \ 
. 30 „ 
19T4 
... 128,975 
. 4,070 . 
. 31 „ 
1915 
... 120,107 .. 
. 2,511 . 
. 20 „ 
1916 
... 130,840 .. 
2,788 . 
- 21 „ 
If we consider the figures for labourers of all nationalities, 
Indians, Chinese, Javanese and Malays the reduction in mortality is 
even more marked but the figures are not so reliable. The Indian 
figures though they do not include the deaths of infants or dependants 
are very encouraging. To bring about still further progress there 
are three prominent measures to which special effort should in future 
be directed. These are, an extension of anti-malarial works, a more 
prompt removal of the sick to hospital and an increase in the 
qualified medical staffs of estate hospitals. The marked reduction 
in Indian mortality upon estates during the past six years is a great 
tribute to the successful and earnest endeavours of managers, 
assistants and their medical advisers, it will doubtless also serve as 
a stimulus for further effort. 
Discussion, 
Dr. Lucy concluded his paper by inviting questions and specially 
asked two members whom be knew had experimented with oil to 
state their experience. 
Mr. Harrison said that he had tried oil on Midlands Estate 
with very satisfactory results. 
During 1911 the death-rate was 25 per mille, but during the 
past few years it had been greatly reduced by this means and now 
amounted only to 1.5 (Hear, hear). That was not due entirely to 
oiling, hut mainly to it, as other methods of subsoil drainage, etc., 
had also been tried. It was Dr. Watson, who had visited Panama, 
who suggested oiling. They first tried crude kerosene. They now 
had their place oiled once a week, costing from $500 to $700 
a month for about half mile around. While they had had a 
hospital admission rate of 50 per cent, previously it was now reduced 
to 2 per cent. 
