The prevention of malaria.

Date:
1945
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The prevention of malaria. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/20 (page 4)
    (c) Personal Protection of Troops Against Mesquito-Bites - Personal protection against mosquito bites is the most important of all methods of malaria prevention under active service conditions and it should, therefore, be undertaken with special zeal by all ranks. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes attack man between sundown and sunrise, and it is only between these times that precaution need be taken. Some mosquitoes feed most actively at dusk, some during the night and some at or just before dawn. No relaxation of effort can therefore be permitted between dusk and dawn. The vicinity of all villages and all habitations used by local people, should be placed out of bounds between sunset and sunrise because infected mosquitoes abound in such places. The methods of persona] protection against mosquito bites most suited to active service conditions are: (i) The> use of mosquito or sandfly curtains, or bush nets; (ii) the wearing of protective clothing; (iii) the use of mosquito repellents (anti-mosquito cream or liquid) applied to the exposed parts of the body. (See Appendix I.) {i) Nets or Curtains for Use against Mosquitoes or Sandflies If properly used, these are perhaps the most valuable single method of personal protection. There are no occasions on which their use can be dispensed with during the malaria season. Types suitable for service conditions are made available for issue to all troops. They must be carefully handled, and be inspected daily for the presence of tears and holes which, if found, must be repaired immediately. Owing to the difficulties in replacement of anti-malaria equipment it should be a matter of strict unit discipline that every effort is made to avoid damage to and loss of nets. If, for any resson, mosquito nets are not available, anti-mosquito. face veils must be worn whilst sleeping at night. (ii) Personal Protective Clothing Mosquitoes wil! not bite through ordinary clothiny unless it is thin and tightly stretched. They will, however, bite readily through ordinary socks or stockings but not through puttees. It is important that the body should be adequately protected against mosquito bites, not only while sleeping but also between sundown and bed time, and between reveille and sunrise. (It is often wise to postpone reveille, if possible, until after sunrise in highly malarious localities.) Personal protective clothing consists of slacks and shirts, or jackets with long sleeves rolled down and buttoned at the wrist. This dress will be worn at all times between