DIAGNOSIS OF MALARIA 



485 



and general weakness, which is particularly serious in that it often 

 renders the body more susceptible to the attack of other diseases. 

 Common malaria is rarely fatal, but it does weaken the body's 

 resistance. Tropical malaria is often fatal. 



Diagnosis. The presence of malarial parasites may be ascer- 

 tained by a microscopic examination of a blood sample. Chills 

 followed by fever often come with other diseases such as typhoid 

 and appendicitis, which are sometimes diagnosed as malaria. A 

 microscopic examination gives a conclusive test for malaria as the 

 plasmodia will be found present in the suspect's blood. 



Treatment. Frequent doses of quinine bring about the de- 

 struction of the malarial parasite, but because of the peculiar effect 



Photomicrograph of a mosquito's head. 



The female Anopheles is the carrier of the malarial germ. The male does 

 not feed on human blood. 



of quinine on the nerves of the ears, and on the salivary glands, it 

 must be used with care and discretion. 



