44 REPORT on the HEALTH AND SANITATION of KHARTOUM PROVINCE 1928.

GENERAL.

The general health of the population has been good except for an increased incidence of primary malaria in Khartoum and the Rural District during the first four months of the year and a steady increased incidence of diphtheria in Omdurman throughout the year. The probable causes of the increase of these diseases wall be examined in detail under their respective headings later in this report.

The most marked improvement in the health conditions was the almost complete absence of sand fly fever among the British troops, who in 1926 had 112 cases, in 1927, 310 cases and in 1928 only 2 cases ; this was almost certainly due to the cessation of building operations in the barracks.

The total rainfall was only 120.8 m/ms. which was considerably belowr the average and in consequence gave no trouble either from flooding in the towns or mosquito breeding outside the towns.

The average relative humidity was consistently higher during the first half of the year which may have accounted in part for the increased mosquito incid¬ ence and for the second half of the year it wTas generally lower than in the previous year owing to the small rainfall.

CONSERVANCY SYSTEM AND REFUSE COLLECTION.

These have worked smoothly throughout the year in Khartoum and Khar¬ toum North, but strikes for higher wages among the cleaners in Omdurman have been experienced. It is hoped to rectify the grievances during the coming year.

FOOD SUPPLIES.

The new abattoir was taken into use towards the end of the year and is proving very satisfactory; it has, however, been found to be too small and funds have been applied for to double its size, it would then suffice for a number of years.

The food markets in Khartoum continue as before and with constant sup¬ ervision can be kept reasonably fly free and clean ; proposals are now under consideration for an improved type of tables for the butchers, a special type of cage for the live stock market and certain improvements to the vegetable stands.

Other improvements to be asked for are directed towards reducing the dust nuisance in the neighbourhood of the markets, they are (1) a metalled road run¬ ning from east to west through the centre and (2) an irrigation scheme for grass and trees on the open squares north and south of the markets.

The fresh food markets in Omdurman are still very.fly ridden and an attempt has been made during the year to reduce this nuisance by repeated daily spraying with a mixture of paraffin and disinfectant; some improvement is noticeable but the surroundings of these markets still require a great deal of cleaning up.