Page:Tropical Diseases.djvu/166

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134
MALARIA
[CHAP.

Danger from vicinity of natives.—— Seeing that in malarious localities a large proportion of the native children harbour the malaria parasite, and that a large proportion of the anophelines in the neighbourhood of native houses are infected, it is manifest that to visit native quarters when mosquitoes are feeding, especially in the evening or during the night, is fraught with danger. For the same reason the European should build his house or pitch his camp well away ——a quarter of a mile at least—— from native quarters, and beyond the flight of infected anophelines; and, for the same reason, native children should not be allowed to frequent European establishments.

The cultivation of trees and plants—— Much was expected at one time from the cultivation of eucalypti of different species particularly Eucalyptus globulus—— as a means of suppressing malaria. Specific virtues were attributed to its balsamic exhalations. These hopes have not been fulfilled in every case; but, undoubtedly, the effect of this rapid lygrowing tree in drying the soil is of use in some localities. The same may be said of the cultivation of the sunflower, chrysanthemum, kiri tree, and other plants. Possibly these plants influence insect life in other ways.

Native experience to be consulted.—— It is unwise to build where the natives say the neighbourhood is unhealthy; natives generally know such places. Neither, if it can be avoided, should a stay be made where the natives are anæmic and have enlarged spleens sure indications of an unhealthy district.

Other precautions.—— Bedrooms should be situated in an upper storey, and dwelling-rooms be well raised on piles or arches above the ground. Common sense tells us that campaigns and journeys in malarious districts should be conducted and concluded during the healthy season, if there be one. Mosquito nets must invariably be used; many travellers attest their value, so plainly indicated by recent discoveries. The body should be covered up during sleep, and every precaution (as fires, etc.) that