The record-union., 1899-08-29


prevails to make a study of it. As in
Italy, where it is said that it keeps
100000 acres of land from being cul-
tfvated and poisons annually 100000
of the inhabitants, causing the death
Of 15,000 In Africa, South America
and in the tropics generally, the re-
search for the causes and the remedy
has been in recent years very diligent.
But until very. recently its cause has
been obscure, though theories as to its
genesis have been multitudinous None
of them have advanced beyond COM
monplaee, however, except that which
all now accept as true, that the decay
of vegetable matter in slow moving and
stagnant waters, and sluggish streams
in hot climates develop the pestllent
poison. For it has been found that
efficient drainage where malaria pre-
vailed in low lying sections, has al
ways resulted in decrease or Danish
ment of the disease.
But science has demonstrated, we are
system is due to the injection into the
blood of certain minute parasites. How
these We're placed in the blood, re-
mained a long time a mystery, but
mission are now advanced. One Of
these was due to the claim Of Laveran
that the mosquito is responsible for
most of the transmission of the par
asite. Following Laverna came Doc
tor Manson along the same line Of re-
search, and later Major Ross with
confrmatory experiments extending
over a long period and very large
field of inquiry. We are told that emf
nent authorities such as Bignami, Gras-
81, Bastianelli and others have ap-
proved the earlier findings, that in
the bite of certain species of the mos
quito is to be found the solution of the
puzzle But there have been and are
opponents of the theory and they have
been bold and vigorous. However, the
assertive force of the proponents of the
mosquito theory has not at all been di-
minished-rather it appears to have
grown stronger.
It has never been claimed that every
mosquito is capable of introducing the
disease through the agency Of his prob
ing bite" Grassi found only three
species, all of the genus Anopheles,
of %la 1o, ;oI in,
fection Major Ross discovered only
one kind in India, and that of the class
which is always found in low countries
around isolated pools of water subject
to heat. Such puddles and pools are
the breeding places of the mosquito.
AS to remedies proposed against these
pests there have been many suggested,
but the most effective of course, is de-
struction of the larvae. The danger
Gus kind of mosquito it is announced
always floats fiat on the surface of the
water, and the adults of this species,
unlike others, have spotted wings. They
also indulge in the habit Of congregat-
ing in large numbers near the breed
ing locality or upon it.
When this place is discovered Ross
would have the slaughter begin before
the young reach the winged stage of
existence. One way is to burn inflam-
mable oils upon the surface Of the wat
er, but the best of all is to drain the
spot, which is always of limited area,
the mosquito selecting such because
Of the absence of minnows which feed
upon the larvae.
To justify and test thoroughly the
theories of Major Ross an expedition
has now left London for Sierra Leone.
It's members will spend some five weeks
in Africa experimenting, and will go
out again next year to continue the
research. The outcome will be await
ed with great and general interest, for
there is no country in temperate or
tropic regions that is exempt from ma
larial disorders.
It is to be kept in mind, however,
that there is a body of the medical and
scientific world which places no faith
whatever in the mosquito theory, as
sailing it not only as mot proved" but
as being unreasonable and as unsat-
isfactory, for one thing because mafa-
rial disorders are found say these op-
ponents, where the mosquito is prac-
tically unknown. 1t is replied that
while that may be true, it may also be
true that in such places some other in
sect means Of transmission may be
employed, since it is held that parasite
of malaria has been found and that
1t can only affect men by transmission
to and injection into their blood.
But even this claim is still unsettled
and the opponents contend that it is
unsound and that malarial attacks can
aff1ict mankind without such trans
mission. Between this cross firing.
the return of the Ross experimental
party will be awaited with interest and
it's first reports be read with eagerness.
If the Hague conference made no
near approach to the disarmament
proposition which it was convened to
consider, it at least accomplished much
in bringing together representative men
of more than a score of nations whose
communion has unquestionably result
ed in a general better understanding.