I have been quite interested by the continuing discussion in THE ISLAND on personal hygiene and the recent inquiry by ‘T.D.’ as to how Eskimos cleanse themselves (17 December 2008). The discussion has reminded me of information I had come across some time back, while reading Dr. C.G.Uragoda’s 1987 classic ‘A history of medicine in Sri Lanka’ ; a book which, incidentally, is well worth reading, whether one is in the medical profession or not.

The information in question related to an outbreak of typhoid among Boer prisoners-of-war brought here in 1900 by the British from South Africa. The British Government had asked the Governor, Sir West Ridgeway, to make arrangements to keep 2000 prisoners-of-war in Sri Lanka. Initially, the first prisoners to arrive were accommodated in a newly constructed camp in Diyatalawa. (Further P-O-W camps were subsequently opened in Ragama, Uragasmanhandiya and Hambantota.) At that time, Diyatalawa was rural and had only two or three buildings and an abandoned railway station. The camp was designed for 2500 prisoners but at one point accommodated 5089. Outside the Boer camp were lodgings for around 1000 British military personnel.

The first contingent of prisoners was accommodated in the camp on 9th August 1900. The first case of typhoid occurred in September 1900; having been brought to Sri Lanka by a Boer prisoner. The disease spread rapidly with 370 patients being recorded in one particular month alone. The epidemic resulted in 755 cases including 68 deaths. It ran its course in 2-3 years.

Various theories were explored as to how the disease was being spread. One observation put forward by Sir Allan Perry, Principal Civil Medical Officer, in his ‘A medical history of prisoners of war in Ceylon, 1900-1903’ (Government Printer, Colombo, 1904, page 18) was as follows:

‘ The habits of the Boers at first were far from cleanly. After defaecation, it was usual not to use any means of cleansing the person; in this way the inside of the trousers became fouled, and the dried excrement may have been disseminated in the huts (although it should be remarked that some clothing was examined bacteriologically, but no true Bacillus typhosus was found).’

This may help to enlighten reader ‘T.D.’ in his enquiry relating to Eskimos.