Malaria in Bengal from 1860 to 1920: a Historical Study in a Colonial Setting (India).

Abstract

This dissertation has examined the history of malaria in Bengal covering the period between 1860 to 1920. Malaria was not only the cause of most mortality taking a toll of a million lives a year but worked as a predisposing cause of death from other diseases. The development of sanitary administration in the 1860's was a major institutional advance at this period. But malarial situation did not improve because sanitary plans were not sufficiently backed by financial support. The study deals with the conception of disease and vital statistics both in Europe and in India. The humoral and miasmatic concept of diseases had led to many controversies that delayed the discovery of the causes of malaria which was finally uncovered by Ronald Ross, an Indian-born Britisher. This study is a narrative account of a disease based on quantitative and qualitative historical data. The major findings of this research are as follows: First, there was a substantial correlation between declining rate of population increase and virulence of malarial disease in Bengal. This study interpreted stagnant demographic situations in terms of attitudes towards Indians based on Social Darwinism and "the Malthusian Trap". Secondly, the policy of modernization to harness and exploit natural resources resulted in development of ill planned roads, railways and embankments which created tremendous ecological disturbances. In fact development projects facilitated the breeding and spreading of malaria. This "man-made" malaria proved counter-productive to the colonial purpose of economic exploitation. Although malaria was not completely unknown to ancient Indians its sudden rise and devastating effects suggest that malignant form of malaria was introduced to India from Africa, the home of malaria. Among non-immune Bengali populations infections quickly escalated into epidemics with high mortality rates. Finally, the economic impact of colonial rule has some relationship with the health of the people. The agrarian and industrial policies were geared to cash crops such as jute, tea, cotton etc. and hence food production suffered. As India was "being bled" because of the drain of capital, food scarcity and famines became regular features. The malnourished, poverty stricken people became an easy prey to malaria and other diseases. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)