New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-16
A CHECK on MALARIA.

A discovery which. If fully confirmed. will
have bearing on the danger Of infection with
malaria is reported from India. Nature in
n recent issue briefly alluded to certain
searches by Or. Schoo that had been more fully
described in The Indian Medical Gazette by
Lieutenant Colonel Giles. Though tine latter
publication is not accessible, and details of DR..
Schools work are not at hand. the main point
is adequately set forth by the London periodical
above referred to.
Since il has been known that the mosquito
is largely instrumental in disseminating malaria
a puzzling situation has occasionally been no.
ticed. Localities exist in which The offending
genus of insect abounds, but which are practi-
cally immune. There is no reason to suppose
that the ratio of mosquito bites to population
is different there than in other places. Hence
students of the modern views of malaria have
been mystifed. Now Dr. Schoo asserts that
wnen mosquitoes are fed on the Juice of acid
fruits they cannot he easily infected with ma
larial germs and consequently are almost harm
less. Obviously they cannot transmit 10 human
beings what they do not carry and nourish in
their own little bodies.
As soon as the observations made in India ac-
quire proper publicity number of competent
persons in other countries will begin TO look
for evidence corroborating or antagonizing DR..
Schools conviction. Italy has already supplied
\ little Possibly before laboratory experiments
under test conditions were made in India Pro-
fessor Cell had not only recognized the eX-
istence Of immune areas, but had also an
nounced that in some of them the cultivation Of
the tomato had attained n high development.
Inasmuch as mosquitoes live largely the
juices Of fruit and vegetables. and not exclu-
sively on human blood, the Italians testimony
- Still he matter needs IN ba fol-
lowed I'D further. America offers exceptional
opportunities for obtaining light Until a num-
Der of students, acting independently. reach the
same conclusion il will not be safe TO regard
the new suggestion as more than provisional.
Whether or not any practical use can be made
Of the revelation in question remains to be
seen. Doctors will hardly send convalescing
victims OF maarial fever to vegetable gardens
or fruit orchards for the completion of their
recovery. II is not likely that crops will be
raised anywhere simply because Of their sanp
| tary value IL is doubtful whether the price of
real estate would be materially affected in
/ region where there were many mosquitoes by
/ the circumstance that they were insusceptible
! 10 malaria Perhaps freer Indulgence in veg.
etable acids by human subjects may render
them. Ike the mosquitoes. immune, hut time is
needed 10 establish even that possibility. Still.
If nothing should be gained in the avoidance or
treatment Of malaria itself in consequence of
/ the discoveries Of DR. Schoo. Professor Cell
! and their disciples q beneficial result Of a diff
/ ferent nature may be expected. 1t may be laid
down as a general principle that whenever an
! exception is adequately explained rule is con-
/ nrmed. If an Inconsistency with the new theo-
ries about the responsibility Of the genus anoph-
eles for the spread Of malaria is cleared up. the
medical profession viii feel that the modern