Malaria control through anti-mosquito measures in Italy

Abstract

Abstract The Malaria Experiment Station at Rome (Stazione Sperimentale per la Lotta Antimalarica) has during the last four years carried on experiments in malaria control in certain Italian communities using (1) anti-larval measures alone, (2) anti-larval measures combined with intensive quininization, and (3) intensive quininization alone. In every case, the anti-larval measures were less expensive than the treatment of the malaria previously carried on in the community, and in four years produced an almost complete disappearance of endemic malaria which was not accelerated by the concomitant treatment of chronic carriers. Intensive quininization alone has not in two years produced any diminution in the parasite or spleen indices, although it has reduced the size of the largest spleens and has somewhat diminished the amount of malignant tertian and quartan fevers. Medical assistance to the malarious sick and the prevention of transmission through anti-mosquito measures are both necessary, and should be carried on simultaneously; but they have different aims, and one is not a substitute for the other. The intensity of malaria in a locality bears a definite relationship to the density of anophelines in human habitations, and responds rapidly to changes in the latter ; but the measure of contact between anophelines and man is a factor which varies widely in different regions with the same species, and with different species in the same region. The use of larvicides should not take the place of permanent measures to abolish anopheline breeding whenever these are possible, but larvicides (especially Paris green) should be used to hold malaria in check until definite measures can be applied ; and, where this is impracticable, communities may successfully and economically employ larvicides in an annual campaign against anopheline larvae for an indefinite period of time.