Ne 
CHAPTER XXIl. 
weeks to a proportion of new arrivals in order to improve their physical 
condition before they were set to work. This is not surprising when it 
is remembered that these emigrant labourers are in many cases forced 
to leave their villages. through sheer want. But on the gardens visited 
by us few signs of malnutrition were evident either in the adult working 
population or amongst the non-working children ; and medical evidence 
was to the effect that the dietary of the plantation labourer is fairly 
satisfactory, in that articles such as milk, dal, and vegetables are fre- 
quently added as supplementary to the staple rice diet. 
Supply of Milk and Vegetables. 
We do not intend to imply that malnutrition does not exist, 
or that improvement is unnecessary. Indeed we believe that much 
larger supplies of fresh milk, ght and vegetables are a vital need for the 
labour forces resident on the plantations, if their general health is to be 
improved. In order to obtain the first, suitable land for the grazing 
of cows should be set apart on each plantation, as is already done on 
many gardens, As regards the second, the suggestion has been made 
that estate managements might with advantage lay out vegetable gar- 
dens from which fresh supplies could be obtained. Alternatively, where 
separate plots of land attached to the individual workers’ houses are not 
feasible, an area should be set aside on each estate for allotments which 
the labourers themselves could cultivate. Where possible, a more gene- 
rous allocation to them of land for grazing and for cultivation 
would not only effect improvements in their health by providing the 
necessary animal fats and vitamins, but would also promote a spirit of 
contentment in a people actuated by a deep inborn love of land. 
Malaria. 
Infection with the malaria parasite plays a very important part 
in lowering standards of health and physique. In every plantation 
area, whether in North or South India, malaria causes most of the sick- 
ness and is chiefly responsible for the existence of ‘ unhealthy ’ gardens, 
whilst malaria-ridden plantations are as unpopular with the labourers 
as healthy plantations are popular. In one garden which we visited, 
where the incidence was very low, it had been unnecessary to do 
any active recruitment for over 20 years. In another the manager 
admitted that his labour force was infected 100%, with malaria, and that 
very little anti-malarial work had been undertaken. Low standards of 
health are avoidable, and as a good example of what can be done, we would 
site the admirable results obtained in the Labac area of Assam. There, 
by the practical application of the chief medical officer's researches, 
large reductions in malaria incidence were effected at a comparatively 
moderate cost. We believe that the effective control of malaria would 
bring about a radical transformation in the health conditions of the 
plantation areas. One result would be to increase the effectiveness and 
contentment of the existing labour force. In addition less difficulty 
would be experienced in reconciling labour recruits to the new conditions 
of life.