The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-05-05
BIG ANTI MALARIA
CAMPAIGN STARTS
AMONG SOLDIERS

Washington, May 4.-The public |
health service has just begun the most
extensive anti-malaria campaign ever
undertaken in the United States with a !
view to protection of the health of the
soldiers in the southern environments.
Congress has authorized this crusade
and provided the funds and it is expect
ed that 100000 will have been spent
by Uncle Sam in this work by July 4,
1919. This is exclusive OF the govern
ment's part in the cooperative health
work now being carried on in the Vi
cinity of these environments by the
public health service, the American
Red Cross and the local health author
tiles.
Because malaria is conveyed only by !
the bite of a certain mosquito which
flies about a short distance from its
breeding place, the eradication of the
mosquito will be undertaken in zones
two miles wide around each camp like
ly to have malaria. Breeding and hid
ing places will be ditched, drained and
cleared, undrainable still water in
which the mosquitoes breed will be
oiled and minnows will be installed to
eat the mosquito larvea off the top of
the water. Even dynamite will be re-
sorted to in this nationwide health
campaign to eliminate dangerous breed
ing places and the work supplemented
by screening and by use of quinine for
preventive and curative purposes.
Cooperation of the state and local
authorities and of the people in each
place is expected. Posters will be put
up in the postoffices. railroad stations
and other places in the south. Previ-
! H. ~
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 mosquitoes
For years the public health service has
studied the most practicable means for
preventing malaria and demonstrations
have been conducted in many places
in the south.
In the building Of the Panama canal
one of the greatest difficulties encoun-
tered 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 campaign |
and associated with him will be an Of |
tic6F OI Tue puDltc HedItl SefNlce Niu6-
ly recognized as one of the foremost
authorities in the United States on mos
quito-borne diseases. Under them Will |
be experienced officers of that service |
and sanitary engineers, along with a |
large force of 1aHorers and large equip |
ment.
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 physicians in many districts in the
United States are for malaria. 1t is one !
of the greatest health problems now, |
not only so far as the soldiers are con- |
cerned but also because of the neces- |
sity to produce a maximum of food and
other supplies related to the war. The |
efficiency OF the laborer in the south, |
according to public health service Of !
ficials. has been markedly reduced by I
the disease. These experts say that /
the anti-malaria campaign will reduce
malaria generally and stimulate SINH
lar work by local health authorities,