MOSQUITO WOHK IX KIIAUTOrM, ETC. 



Rarer forms 



Formation of 



Moscjuilo 



Hrigadc 



Hreeding 

 places 



These arc not the only varieties of ni()S(;[uit() to be encountered in Khartoum. 

 A large species of Culex closely resembling, if not identical with Culex concolor 

 (probably (\ tigripex) exists, l)ut it is rare. \\ least one otiiei- species of Stegomyia 

 is to be found besides StC(/omijia fasciata and its variety form " iiio-squito" Avhile 

 Culonel Stanton, the ]Mudir, sent me a very large femak- moscpiito which I found to 

 bcldug to the genus Mucidus, and which Mr. Theobald, to whom I am much 

 indebteil for help freely rendered, declared to be a variety of his Mucidus africnnus} 

 I have recently found Tlieohaldid sjKif/iipaljns breeding in barrel watei- at 

 Khartoujn North. Sufficient has been said to show that it was necessary to 

 take steps for destroying these insects, and especially the Anophelines. Colonel 

 Talbot, lI.E., being mui'h interested in the matter it was not long before one was 

 asked to send to the Senior Medical Officer, Khartoum, a statement regarding the 

 formation of a mosquito brigade, and one was subsequently requested to take 

 complete charge of the woi-k. I Avas very glad to do so, as it gave me an 

 opportunity of studying the mosquitoes and their breeding places, of collecting 

 specimens and of carrying out a few experiments. A small mosquito brigade was 

 therefore formed on the lines suggested by Major Ronald Ross." Two intelligent 

 natives were obtained fi^om Colonel Stanton, the Mudir, and quickly trained to 

 recognise mosquitoes, their eggs, larvfe and pupa\ and to distinguish the culicidai 

 from other insects. Mr. Newlove, the laboratory assistant, who by this time had also 

 become familiar with all the stages of the mosquito, was placed in charge of these 

 men, his knowledge of Arabic being most usefid, and here I Avould pay a well 

 deserved triliute to the energy and zeal he displayed in what was often hot and 

 tiresome Avork. The necessary equipment was provided by Captain Rivers, E.M.C., 

 the acting S.M.O. at that time, and it was decided to attack the mos(|uitoes chiefly 

 in the larval stage. This was the more easily accomplished owing to the nature of 

 their breeding places. 



These may be classed as follows : — 



1. Wells; by far the most numerous and most largely infected (see page 17). 



2. Sakia pits, both along the river bank and in certain gardens (see page 15). 



8. Garden tanks, practically confined to the rixci- front (see page 17). 



4. Bath-waste ])its. 



.5. Permanent garden pools, practically onl\' found in the Palace Gnrdeiis 



(see i^age 17). 

 (i. Zeers (native water filters) (see page 15). 

 7. River pools, i.e., pools left in the banks by the falling Nile (seepage 19). 



5. Steamer holds, tanks, water-closet cisterns and engine rooms, also the 



holds of Avood and other barges (see page 19). 



9. Chance Avater collections as in old "sandals "or barges draAvn uj) on the 



river bank, and fi'om which speedy evaporation was prevented 

 (see page 19). 



' Theobald. "Monograph of the Culicidse" 



' Ross. " Mosquito Brigades " 



