159 



Christophers (S. K.) & Siiouir (M. J*:.). Malaria in Mesopotamia. — 

 Indian J I. Med. Res., Calcitlla, \iii, no. 3, J.Liiiiaiy 1921, 

 pp. 508-552, 4 maps, 1 chart, 2 plates, 10 tables. [Received 

 28tli Jul}' 1921.1 



The geography, physical features and climate of Mesopotamia, and 

 their relation to malaria are briefly described. The breeding places 

 of Anophelines are peculiarly dependent on irrigation. The system 

 of tidal creeks and channels on the lower rivers is very favourable to 

 malaria, and makes au}^ anti-malaria measures difficult The river 

 level has a marked effect on malaria. The long cold season, the limited 

 period of rainfall, the salinity of the subsoil water and river water, 

 and the great desiccation which tends to make surface waters unsuitable 

 for the breeding of Anophelines, are all influences against malaria, 

 while in lower Mesopotamia flsh (Cyprinodontidae) are an im]:)ortant 

 factor. 



The following mosquitos have been found ; — AnopJieles 'ptdcJierrimiis, 

 Theo., A. stephcnsi, List., A. liyrcanus {sinensis) var. mesopotmniae, 

 Christ., A. hyrcanus (sinensis) var. vanus, Theo., A. algericnsis, 

 Theo., A. palestifiensis, Theo. [super picliis, Grassi), A . macrdipennis , 

 Meig., A. inaculipcnnis var., A. bifiircafits, L., and A. rhodcsiensis, 

 Theo. 



In the south the most important species are A. pulclierrimus and 

 A. stephensi. The former is ciiiefly found in great swamps and the 

 alluvial desert, while the latter is common in palm grove belts, breeding 

 mainly in excavated ground and irrigation ditches. The most 

 important species in the north are .4 . palcstinensis and A . maculipennis. 

 The habits of all species differ considerably. In the south breeding 

 places are ubiquitous, in the north the facilities are diminished, but 

 they increase in the submontane and hilly regions. In no part were 

 wells found to be important breeding places. The breeding of A. piil- 

 cherrimns was at a standstill below 70°F., and above this it increased 

 rapidly. A . paleslinensis and A . maculipennis tolerated low tempera- 

 tures. To the north of Baghdad the species are palaearctic and 

 Mediterranean, while to the south they are partly oriental and partly 

 indigenous. The chief malaria-carrier in the north is A. palcstinensis, 

 and in the south A. stephensi. In the former sporozoites were found 

 in nature, also the zygotes of malignant tertian malaria. A. pidcher- 

 rimiis is little associated with malaria and the remainder are rare or 

 winter species. 



The distribution of endemicity shows moderate spleen rates on the 

 low rivers, low endemicity throughout the plains, and hyperendemicity 

 in the northern submontane country. 



Christophers (S. R.) & Shortt (H. E.). Incidence of Malaria among 

 Troops in Mesopotamia, 1916-19. — Indian Jl.Med. Res., Calcutta, 

 viii, no. 3, January 1921, pp. 553-570, 5 tables, 1 chart. [Received 

 28th July 1921.] 



This paper contains information regarding malaria in the British 

 forces operating in Mesopotamia during 1916-19. In various tables 

 and appendices may be found figures of admissions to hospitals, data 

 obtained from bacteriological laboratories, and the infection rate in 

 troops shown by random samplings. 



Nearly one-half of the total malaria in the forces occurred at the 

 base. The admissions at the base were lowest in February, increasing 



