X rilEFACE 



has demonstrated time and time again the heroic 

 devotion of those who embark upon it. JNIany have 

 lost their lives and many have been injured. It can 

 truly be said that no movement of modern times has 

 called forth such devotion and such enthusiasm. 

 Finally, if results are looked for, it can be said without 

 exaggeration that the tropical world is to-day being 

 steadily and surely conquered. The narration of the 

 numerous campaigns against the mosquito which I have 

 liere recorded is signal proof of this. The campaigns 

 show that the three great insect-carried scourges of the 

 tropics — the greatest enemies that mankind has ever 

 had to contend with, namely INIalaria, Yellow Fever and 

 Sleeping Sickness — are now fully in hand and gi^'ing 

 way, and with their conquest disappears the awful and 

 grinding depression which seems to have gripped our 

 forefathers. Now the situation is full of hope. The 

 mosquito is no longer a nightmare ; it can be got rid of. 

 The tropical world is vmfolding once again to the 

 pioneers of commerce, who now do not dread the 

 unseen hand of death as did of old the Spanish Con- 

 quistadores of Columbus and Cortes. The British 

 public has and must always have a paramount interest 

 in this practical conquest, which is destined to add a 

 vast slice of the globe, of undreamt-of productiveness, 

 to their dominions and activities, and as a contribution 

 to the history of the conquest this small volume is 

 launched by one who has been privileged to take a 

 humble part in the movement and in not a few of 

 its successful campaigns. 



University of Liverpool, 

 July, 190J) 



