160 



slightly up to June. The highest occurred in October to December, 

 although there was a considerable incidence in July. There was little 

 evidence of local epidemic prevalence, except in areas where Anophe- 

 line breeding places were abundant. The fluctuations in malaria 

 are clearly related to meteorological and physical conditions. 



Tables are given showing the incidence of malaria in individual 

 units. In 1917 residual and imported malaria was severe, owing to 

 an epidemic prevalent in northern India, All three forms of parasites 

 have occurred among troops, but quartan [Plasmodium malariae] 

 was only 1 per cent, of the infections. The malignant tertian parasite 

 [P. praecox] was more prevalent in the northern than in the Basra 

 area. 



The extremely complicated circumstances associated with malarial 

 incidence in a large army as demonstrated in the Mesopotamian force 

 are described. 



Christophers (S. R.) & Shortt (H. E.). Anti-malaria Operations at 

 Busra, 1916-19. — Indian Jl. Med. Res., Calcittla, viii, no. 3, 

 January 1921, pp. 571-592, 4 plates, 2 maps, 4 tables. [Received 

 28th July 1921.] 



Systematic anti-mosquito operations were carried out on a large 

 scale at the base, as here the camps were relatively permanent, 

 and the conditions being highly malarious, it was important to protect 

 the depots through which all troops had to pass. In the advanced 

 area, however, other measures had to be relied on, owing to the immense 

 areas concerned and the constant movement of the troops. 



Many disadvantages had to be contended with, such as the natural 

 conditions of the country, and the extensive excavations that had to 

 be carried out, these latter often adding considerably to favourable 

 mosquito breeding places. 



Oiling of extensive areas and any kind of drainage operations were 

 impossible, so the chief control method employed was the protection 

 of excavated areas in the neighbourhood of troops by cutting off 

 irrigation. This method alone .showed promise of results and definite 

 reductions in sickness were indicated. Reclamation by means of 

 dredging proved the best control method ; unfortunately the areas 

 that could be so dealt with were too small to allow other measures to 

 be rejected. 



The' protective action taken in different areas and that undertaken 

 by the Sanitary Section are described. Tables showing an analysis 

 of admissions to hospital from protected and unprotected areas are 

 given. 



Spinose Ear Tick. — //. Debt. Agric. Union S. Africa, Pretoria, iii, 

 no. 1, July 1921,'p. 15.' 



The occurrence of the spinose ear tick [Ornithodonis megnini] is 

 recorded from Avoca, Cape Province, where it was taken from the 

 ear of a Friesland calf. The neighbourhood is not considered 

 favourable for ticks that live on cattle, and apparently 0. megnini 

 has but recently been introduced. It remains to be seen whether it 

 will become fully established. 



