2o8 The Control of Mosquitoes 



the Anopheles found in the dwellings. This has 

 been systematically carried out in all the barracks 

 in the Canal Zone, and is considered a very valu- 

 able measure when painstaking men are employed. 

 Systematic mosquito catching in dwellings as a 

 prophylactic measure against malaria originated in 

 the Canal Zone. Briefly.it was the adaptation to 

 sanitary purposes of the method employed by the 

 entomologist in securing specimens. It was first 

 tried in 1908 by W. R. Proctor, sanitary inspector, 

 in a temporary camp known as Cocoli. This 

 camp was in close proximity to extensive Anopheles 

 breeding areas. Because of the camp's temporary 

 character, more thorough methods of eradication 

 were not used. Malaria soon developed among 

 the laborers in the camp, and the incidence of this 

 disease became very high. 



Although there was much doubt concerning the 

 efficacy of mosquito catching as a means of reduc- 

 ing the malaria incidence, it was tried as other 

 measures could not be applied. To the surprise 

 of all, the systematic destruction in the camp 

 speedily reduced the malaria incidence. The 

 catching was done at sunrise and simset, by a 

 negro laborer. 



Mosqidto catching in dwellings was then adopted 

 as one of the regular prophylactic measures. 



