Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1912-07-12

Investigator of unusual skill and acute
6aess, the discoveries he made and the
papers he had written concerning them
gained him wide reputation in pro-
fessional circles. We were close
friends, and when, on his return from
prolonged visit to Italy he called
at my house, / was shocked by the
change in the man. He was thin,
haggard, yellow of complexion, and it
did not astonish me when he volun-
teered the information that he was suf-
fering from malaria in a peculiarly ma
lignant form. It did, however, sur
prise me when he stated that he had
resolved to allow nature to take its
course, and would not enlist medical
aid to fight the disease. He remarked
calmly that he was doomed, and
no argument to the contrary proved
Of any avail. Furthermore, he de-
clared that when he died manuscript
explaining his Indifference to death
would be placed in my hands. Three
months later the event which he
prophesied came to pass. He was
found dead in his study, having finally
succumbed to the inroads Of the mall
ady. A manuscript among his effects,
sealed and addressed to me, was
duly forwarded to it's destination. 1t
contained the following history, which
will give in Matchams own words:
1t was about year ago that Man
sons published discoveries with re-
gard to malaria aroused my interest,
and / determined to make investiga-
lions on his lines for myself For
this reason | resolved to pay a visit
to the Campagna near Rome, and carry
on my Investigations in the most ma
larial districts of this unhealthy spot.
The cause of malaria was known and
its spread was all but proved, but
hoped that it might be my privilege
to discover the remedy.
I was deeply in love with a young
girl named Rachel Denza, whom I had
known since she was child. Her ia
Their was an ex-colonel in the United
only child, and she lived only for her
father. 1t was on the day before I
left New York for Italy that I ven
tured to speak openly of my love to
Miss Denza. To my establishment and
rage she gently but firmly refused me-
controlled myself, however, and hav-
ing promised my old playmate that we
should always remain good friends,
took my departure. Outwardly was
my breast. If I had intended Rachel
to be mine before I asked her, was
now like man possessed on the sub
ject. The next day / sailed for Italy
The time of year was favorable for my
project, Rome being distinctly ma
larial In the month of August. I be-
gan to make my Investigations at once.
My experiments from the start were
more for possible cure Of malaria than
on the cause of its dissemination, but
in order to attain the one had to in
vestigate the other. It is now no Sc
cret that the parasite which causes
malaria in the human subject is to
be found in the bodies Of certain
mosquitoes. The special mosquito
which disseminates this terrible dis
ease has spotted wings and lays boat
shaped eggs. For the mosquito in
question, when it bites a man infect
ed with malaria, conveys the disease to
the next healthy person whom it bites.
Up to the present only the mosquito
with spangled wings, the anopheles,
is believed to be capable of conveying
this dire infection from man to man,
but in all probability there are many
others of the species which can per-
form equally deadly work. AS an
opheles abounded on the portion of the
Campagna where had placed my pat
ent mosquito hut, equipped with wire
gauze doors and windows, had abun-
dant opportunities Of studying them.
Having taken the necessary precau-
tions, and being in any case, as con-
sidered, impervious to the bite of the
mosquito, / remained free from the
dread disease. / had been a month
on the Campagna when one morning
l received a letter from Rachel in
forming me that she was engaged to
marry certain Capt. Claiming, for
merly in her fathers regiment /
wrote a formal note of congratula
to Rachel and posted it. Before the
arrival Of that letter was practically
human scientist who loved his work
and wished to benefit his fellow men.
Now, every thought was concentrated
Apn one idea-how / could Illustrate
Charming and make Rachel my wife.
Before l slept that night took the
first step.
had distant cousin by the name
of Marian Fletcher. She was tall.
dark, handsome girl, over whom had
always exercised considerable infiu-
ence, although was not vain enough
to suppose that she loved me. It oc-
Cured to me that she would be use
tul tool at any rate. She was visiting
the Denzas at this time, and wrote
her letter dealing principally with
ordinary matters; but toward the end
l mentioned that had heard OF
Rachel's engagement. l asked her to