238 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



the vicinity of a native settlement. He should, if possible, 

 keep at night at a distance from them, and even then should 

 take other measures for prevention of infection. 



The destruction of mosquitos, the use of quinine, the pro- 

 tection afforded by the use of netting, are probably none of 

 them by themselves sufficient or possible in a community of 

 any size or over large areas of country. They have proved 

 effective in small communities. One recorded instance is 

 that of a previously very unhealthy island off the coast of 

 Sardinia. Malaria was entirely prevented there during one 

 summer. 



Even if in large populous districts entire prevention of the 

 disease is impossible, much can be done by the means we 

 have mentioned to diminish its prevalence, and the more 

 valuable lives may be efficiently protected. 



There is no better test of the value of such proposals than 

 their adoption on commercial principles. This has been done 

 in Italy, where legislation has actually been attempted to 

 make employers in malarious districts provide for their em- 

 ployees lodgings and suitable dwellings in which protection is 

 afforded against mosquitos. The Adriatic Bail way Company, 

 which used to spend annually £12,000 on hospital treatment 

 and medicine or loss of service through malaria, has deter- 

 mined to attempt prevention by similar means among its 

 workmen. As regards the British Colonial Department, it 

 is making an attempt, more especially on the west coast of 

 Africa, to minimise the occurrence of intermittent fever. 

 The towns have been cleaned out, roads and streets have 

 been drained effectively, the collection of water in pools pre- 

 vented, articles like old cans or broken bottles in which 

 water might be retained have been removed, netting is 

 provided for the doors and windows of official residences, 

 and the use of quinine by those suffering from ague has 

 been insisted upon. Above all, the natives are being taught 

 that it is possible to avoid the disease by taking proper 

 precautions. It is hoped that in this way the evil repu- 

 tation of West Africa as " the white man's grave " may 

 soon pass away. 



It is easy to forecast that the comparative immunity from 

 malaria thus insured to the explorer and merchant will 

 materially aid in revolutionising the commerce of some 

 parts of the world. The results of the discovery of the 

 cause of the disease will be far-reaching. We have seen 

 how, in the opinion of those able to speak with autho- 

 rity, the control of malaria is the one feature in the 

 condition of tropical Africa which prevents the proper 

 development of trade. We know that it was the lack of 

 such control which prompted Britain to relinquish her 





