The End of the Story 145 



insects are driven from a locality, others, perhaps even new 

 species, come in to take their place. 



The early, over-optimistic pictures painted by some of 

 the more sensational journalists when DDT first made its ap- 

 pearance were often based on wishful thinking, not upon 

 facts. Because beachheads could be freed from mosquitoes 

 before the landing of troops, and practically all insect life 

 could be killed on small Pacific islands, people began to 

 dream of an insect-free world. One large area after an- 

 other was treated with DDT and trillions of insects — both 

 good and bad — perished in this mass experimentation. Yet, 

 the insects came back. Intoxicating hopes gave way to a de- 

 pressing morning-after feeling. Those who were most loud 

 in their heralding of the "Miracle" inseaicide, were the first 

 to swing in the opposite direaion and belittle the value of 

 the material whose praises they had formerly sung. 



Thus again, we saw a repetition of the common cycle of 

 events that has accompanied the discovery of every cure for 

 the ills of mankind. A few years ago sulfa drugs were hailed 

 as the wonder healers for which the world had so long been 

 waiting. These drugs were to wipe out all of the diseases 

 of man — at least according to the words of many uninformed 

 prophets. And then came penicillin to capture the head- 

 lines of our papers and the hopes of the ill. Then came other 

 drugs, such as gramacidin and streptomycin — and still the 

 magic cure-all remains to be found. All of these drugs have 

 certain uses and all have certain limitations. The men who 

 knew most about them were most conservative in their pre- 

 dictions. They were not responsible for the many rash state- 

 ments that the public so easily swallowed. 



It is the same with DDT. Yes, it is a magic killer! 

 But it is not the silver bullet which will put an end to all in- 



