June, '17] HERMS: CALIFORNIA MOSQUITO SURVEY 365 



one quartan. For comparison the endemic malaria indexes for sev- 

 eral states after von Ezdorf^ are here quoted, viz.: Alabama 11.4, 

 Arkansas 10.1, North Carolina 7.8, South Carolina 11.9, Mississippi 

 31.2, Virginia 9.3. No doubt the endemic index for Redding (Cal.) 

 would have been greater but for some mosquito control work which 

 had been instituted during the previous two or three summers. 



A Systematic Mosquito Survey 



During the course of the seven years preceding the summer of 1916, 

 the writer had gained some knowledge of the mosquitoes of California 

 because of his extensive field observations, but as yet no sj^stematic 

 survey of the situation had been undertaken. Anopheline surveys 

 such as were carried out by the United States Public Health Service 

 in certain of the southern states under the direction of von Ezdorf^ 

 are fundamental to successful malaria control measures. 



A notable advance was made during the summer of 1916 in our 

 knowledge of the malaria-mosquito situation in California and con- 

 sequently we believe decided progress has been made in the control of 

 malaria in the state. On February 23, 1916, in the office of the presi- 

 dent of the California State Board of Health, the writer in conference 

 with the president and secretary of the State Board of Health and the 

 director of the Bureau of Communicable Diseases presented the matter 

 of a mosquito survey as the most urgent necessity' in the program for 

 the control of malaria in the state. An estimate was given as to the 

 probable cost, items involved, etc. After some discussion the sug- 

 gestion was favorably received and on March 4, the following reso- 

 lution was adopted by the State Board of Health, namely, "that the 

 State Board of Health undertake in cooperation with the University 

 of California, a survej' of malaria and mosquitoes in California under 

 the direction of Professor W. B. Herms, assisted by Mr. S. B. Freeborn, 

 provided the funds of the Board will permit of the financing of the 

 plan." It was estimated that the expense of the survey would approxi- 

 mate $2,150 for the first summer including cost of automobile, main- 

 tenance, hotel expenses, and general equipment, there being no charge 

 made to the State Board for the services of either the writer or Mr. 

 Freeborn. 



Without discussing in detail the equipment used in carrjdng on the 

 survey, it may be said that this consisted of many maps, including 



lyon Ezdorf, R.' H., 1916. Endemic Index of Malaria in the United States. 

 United States Public Health Service, Reprint No. 331 from PubUc Health Reports 

 of March 31, 1916. 



^von Ezdorf, R. H. Anopheline Surveys. United States PubUc Health Service, 

 Reprint No. 272 from Public Health Reports of April 30, 1915. 



