Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-21

In the United States the malarial dis
tricts are found especially along the
southern Atlantic and gulf coasts. and
up the Mississippi and its larger tribu-
tares.
But the disease is much less prevalent
than it was a half century ago, chiefly
on account OF the redemption of swamp
lands for the purposes OF agriculture
1t is more common in the country than
in cities Its viruence is much great
er in the tropics and in sub-tropical
countries than farther north.
Thirty years ago, before the drainage
and filing OF the swamp and marsh
lands and reclamation of the Potomac
flats (Which was due largely to the I'M
firing efforts of the efficient city health
officer. Dr. W. c. Woodward. professor
in the medical department OF George
Washington University. II was stated
commonly. that every inhaoitant OF
Washington was injected WIN malaria
in some form. Now the disease is rare
in the District of Columbia. and many
physicians will practice lifetime with
out having opportunity TO see case
In an extensive practice in Washing
ion for many years ! have seen only
three cases. two in hospitals and one in
private practice. the latter Pullman
porter who contracted the disease in
New Orleans.
Marshes in which there is an album
dance of decayins vegetable matter are
especially favorable to the production
of malaria. because particularly suited
TO the propagation OF the ano?heies.
The turning up Of soil by plovlng has
been followed frequently by the appear
ance OF the disease in the vicinity. by
permitting the formation of small pools
to serve as the breeding places OF mos
quitoes. The fact that people lIVing IN
the lower stories of dwellings are at
tackled more frequently than those on
the upper floors is explained by the low
flight of the insect. The same fact &C
counts for the absence of the disease at
high attitudes. and on mountain tons.
although some species of anopheles
have been observed occasionally at an
elevation OF more than 5000 feet above
sea level
The influence of season of winds.
forest trees and the danger of night
air are all apparent. High temperature
favors the production of the disease.
but the drying of swamps checks 1t for
time. DR.. =. Il. \. King advanced
the theory that bright sunlight is of
greater Importance in favoring the vlgor
of the life cycle of the malariai parasite
after it has entered the blood The
negro is not so susceptible to malaria
as the Cauca sian. and King explains this
OH the suppositon that the negro $
dark skin prevents the penetration or
light to the interior of the body. and
thus inhibits the formation of spores
or the multiplication Of the parasite.
susceptibility of Blends.
The same hypothesis explains the great
er susceptibility of blends to malaria
Kendall experienced great difficulty in
getting the anopheles TO bite adult ne
groes. Men are affected five or six times
more often than women on account of
greater exposure. since the anopheles do
not ordinarily enter dwelling houses.
Several writer's maintain that other in
sects are capable of introducing the ma
larial parasite. since they have observed
the disease i'm localities where anopheles
are unknown. Ashburn and Craig sug-
sest that the parasite may be introduced
occasionally by filariae and other large
animal parasites
Malaria is preventable. unnecessary
and durable disease. Measures directed
toward the eNtermina ton OF mosquitoes
result always in its elimination and dis
appea. lance. When an individual is COM
PEELED to sojourn in a malarious COM
munity. the administration Of two grains
of Guinine three times daily will prevent
the onset of the disease.
Persons interested in the subject of
mosquitoes and malaria should read DIR.
:. .. Towards book. Mosquitoes, and
reprint from public health reports. No.
2S. Prevention and Destruction of Mo-
squitoes, by Joseph Goldberger.