Evening star., 1932-11-21
WAR ON MALARIA
IN TROPICS TOLD
GorgaS Memorial Institute
Hears Or. Clark on Panama
Laboratory Work.

Work of the Gorgas Memorial Labora-
tory in combating tropical malaria and
murrina, destructive disease of horses
and mules, was described today to di-
rectors and officers of the Gorgas Me-
mortal Institute by DR.. Herbert c.
Clark, director of the research labora-
tory in Panama, at the institutes an
nual meeting here.
In addition to the customary pre-
ventative measures of draining swamps,
treating non-drainable water areas to
avoid mosquito breeding, mosquito
proof1ng living quarters and otherwise
laying protective groundwork against
tropical malaria, the Gorgas branch
has experimental recently with treat
rlent Of human carriers" as a means
OF controlling the disease, DR.. Clark re-
ported.
Selecting five villages located OF. the
banks of a river, in an area without
local medical or sanitary facilities, the
scientists discovered 45.6 per cent of
the population was malaria infected.
At the close of the second years treat
ment with free quinine, the rate fell to
21.6 and, with improved methods, later
descended to 1853, he said.
Indication of Results.
These results indicate, DR.. Clark
pointed out, that business organizations
with personnel in the tropics can count
on low infection rate, provided proper
preventative aids are supplied. Among
natives, he added, probably it viii be
impossible to hold the index point be-
low 10 per cent, because of the rowing
nature of the population.
Research on the laboratory's second
to- - Iz1
indicated the vampire bat and the horse
fly are chief offenders in spreading a
disease which has destroyed much valu-
able live stock. Dr. Clark said. Correct
stabling conditions. segregation of h2rses
and mules from cattle during the night
and other elementary practices have
been found to reduce the chances Of
murrina infection.
Studies in the sources and cure OF
relapsing fever, snake census in the
regions of the Chagres, Tuira and Santa
Maria Rivers. and other incidental in
veStigations also were conducted by the
laboratory in the past IL months, the
director said.
Scope Of Report.
Dr. Clark's report comprised the
principal feature of the session, which
annually precedes the convening of
Congress. His statements will be for
warded to that body as part of the
annual report of an establishment main
tanned by the Government in conjunc-
ton with Latin American countries,
which make pro rata contributions.
Presided over by Admiral Cary T.
Grayson, president, the conference this
morning included routine reports and
discussion of regular business Robert
v. Fleming and A. NJ. Nevius of Wash
ington, treasurer and assistant treas
urer, respectively, presented the busi-
ness statement for the year.
Those attending were Admiral Gray
son, DR.. Clark, Mr. Fleming and Mr..
NeviuS, DR.. Thomas Barbour Of Harvard
University. DR.. Robert Hegner of Johns
Hopkins University, DR.. Morris Hall of
the Bureau of Animal Industry, DR.. w.
G. Mccoy of the United States Public
Health Service and Surg. Gen. Hugh S.
Cumming, head of that organization;
DR.. r. j. Alfaro, Minister from Panama;
Maj. Gen. M. w. Ireland, U. s. A., re-
tired; Rear Admiral Edward r. Stitt,
U. s. N, Of the San Diego Naval Hos
pital, and Rear Admiral Charles E.
Riggs, surgeon general, U. S. N.
Changes in Offices.
Announcement was made of the fol-
lowing changes and selections for the
offices of related directors of Gorgas
Institute: H. L. Hartman of Boston,
new president of the United States
Chamber of Commerce, to succeed
Silas Strawn; Louis A. johnson
of Clarksburg, w. Va, commander
of the American Legion, to succeed
Henry L. Stevens, jr.; DR.. G. Walter
Dittmar Of Chicago, new president of
the American Dental Association, to
succeed DR.. Dewey; DR.. Francis M
Pottenger, Monrovia, Calf, new presi-
dent of the American College of Physi-
clans, and DR.. John A. FerrelI of the
Foundation, new president
Of the American Public Health Associa-
ton.
The principal officers and Executive
Committee remain unchanged.