1909] on the Campaign against Malaria. 613 



appointed. Reconstruction, similar to that which has revivified the 

 Royal Army Medical Corps, is urgently demanded. It is not too 

 much to ask that no man shall be appointed to an administrative post 

 without previous examination as to his fitness — that no man shall be 

 entrusted with the post of chief sanitary officer unless he can show 

 evidence of having really worked at the subject, of having mastered 

 scientific details, and of having obtained the qualifying diplomas of 

 Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He should be placed on the 

 executive council — which is now so frequently managed by the heads 

 of less important departments. Proper arrangements should be made 

 for expert inspection and supervision ; and much more science, work 

 and disciphne should be demanded, not only in the services but in 

 those who control them. 



I have now outlined the general course of events. The immediate 

 success which we had hoped for ten years ago has not been attained. 

 The battle still rages along the whole line ; but it is no longer a battle 

 against malaria. Malaria we know, we understand fully, we can beat 

 down when we please. The battle which we are now fighting is 

 against human stupidity. Those of us who have taken part in it — 

 not too numerous — know what it has been. We have written and 

 lectured ad nauseam ; we have interviewed ministers, members of 

 Parliament and governors ; we have appealed to learned societies ; we 

 have sought the support of distinguished people, and we have received 

 — sympathy. We have reasoned, and been ridiculed ; we have given 

 the most stringent experimental proofs, and been disbelieved ; we have 

 protested, and been called charlatans. I think that not one of those 

 young men who have pioneered this important work in the field has ever 

 received thanks for his labours. On the other hand, I know of several 

 who have been actually punished for it. An example which J am free 

 to mention is that of my brother, Mr. H. C. Ross, who was driven from 

 the Egyptian Sanitary Service out of spite and jealousy simply 

 because he undertook such work. I know that all new movements 

 have to face opposition of this kind ; but surely the world is be- 

 coming too old for it. We talk much of science, and collect funds 

 for research and teaching, and hold conferences and congresses, and 

 blow trumpets over our doings ; but when a useful discovery really 

 is made, when the cause and methods of prevention of the most 

 important of human diseases have been discovered, taught and 

 tried for ten years, this is the way we employ it for the good of 

 humanity ! Of what use is it to make discoveries, if Avhen they 

 are made they are neglected ? And remember that all this time, 

 while we are questioning facts that are proved and methods that are 

 established, hundreds of thousands, nay millions, of poor people are 

 suffering from our dullness. I conclude with an appeal. The matter 

 must be taken up in Parliament and in the press, as vigorously as 

 possible. If some of the officials at fault could be persuaded to 

 accept their pensions and decorations before the usual time, room 



