Current Topics and Events

Abstract

A LARGE party from Section D (Zoology) of the British Association visited Hayling Island on Monday for the formal opening of the British Mosquito Control Institute which has been built there by Mr. J. F. Marshall. Anti-mosquito work was commenced at Hayling in 1920, and we have on several occasions referred to the very valuable results achieved. By draining and other operations, the mosquito nuisance in the district has been almost entirely removed, and the measures adopted have been followed with success at other places around the coast. Mr.Marshall's work in connexion with both salt-water and fresh-water mosquitoes has become so widely known that inquiries from medical officers and others continually reach him from many parts of the country, and numerous people interested in the subject have visited Hayling to see his laboratory and his control work in inter-tidal and other areas. This led to the erection of a building containing a demonstration museum, laboratory, drawing office, photographic room, and other facilities for study and research in various branches of mosquito control work. The building, the design and equipment of which are based upon five years' experience in the laboratory and the field, is the first example of an institution devoted exclusively to what may be termed the non-medical side of mosquito investigation. Sir Ronald Ross, in an address at the opening ceremony, described the growth of the organisation at Hayling and expressed high appreciation of Mr. Marshall's work, both as to its scientific value and practical service. We hope to give some further particulars of the Institute and the opening ceremony in our next issue.