The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-08
ANTI-MALARIA CAMPAIGN.
The Government to Spend $4OO, 900 to
Protect the Health of Soldiers in
Southern CantOnments.

health service has just begun the most
extensive anti-malaria campaign ever
in the United States with
a view to the protection of the
health of the soldiers in the Southern
Congress has author
lied this crusade and provided the
funds and it is expected that 100000
will have been spent by Uncle Sam in
this work by July /. 1919. This is
exclusive of the governments part in
the cooperative health work now be-
ing carried on in the vicinity of these
by the public health SER
vice, the American Red Cross and the
local health authorities.
Because malaria is conveyed only
by the bite of certain mosquito
which flies only short distance from
its breeding place, the eradication of
the mosquito will be undertaken in
zones two miles wide around each
camp likely to have malaria. Breed
ing and hiding places will be ditched.
drained, and cleared, undrainable still
water in which the mosquitoes breed
will be oiled and minnows will be in
stalled to eat the mosquito larvas off
the top of the water. Even dynamite
Will be resOrted to in this nation wide
health campaign, to eliminate danger
Gus breeding places and work sup
plemented by screening and by use
of quinne for preventive and cura-
tive purposes.
Cooperation of the State and loca!
authorities and of the people in each
place is expected. Posters will be put
in the postofiices, railroad stations
and other places in the South. Pre-
vious operations of the federal health
service against the mosquitoes have
been enthusiastically received by the
people in each place affected, because
OF the results in the reduction Of ma
laria and eradication Of the mosqui-
toes. For years the public health SER
vice has studied the most practicable
means for preventing malaria and
have been conducted
in many places in the South.
In the building of the Panama Ca
nal one Of the great difficulties en-
countered was the presence of swarms
OF mosquitoes, which conveyed yellow
fever and malaria to the workmen.
The engineer largely responsible for
the success in the campaign against
yellow fever mosquitoes in the canal
zone will supervise this anti-malaria
and associated with him
will be an officer of the public health
service widely recognized as one of the
foremost authorities in the United
states on mosquito borne diseases.
Under them will be experienced Of
hcers OF that service and sanitary en-
along with large force of
laborers and large equipment.
Malaria is one of the most serious
diseases In certain sections of the
country. During certain seasons more
than ninety per cent. Of all calls
made by physic' AIS in many districts
In the United States are for malaria.
1t is one of the greatest health prob
lens now, not only so far as the SOL
diers are concerned but also because
OF the necessity to produce a maxi
mum of food and other supplies re.
lated to the war. The efficiency of
the laborer in the South, according to
public health service officials, has
been markedly reduced by the disease.
These experts say that the anti-mala-
ria campaign will reduce malaria gen.
orally and stimulate similar work by
local health authorities.