Malaria prevention and treatment with special reference to conditions in Lagos

Two hundred and thirty cases of uncomplicated Malaria Fever had been studied at Lagos with a special regard to prevention and treatment.As far back as thousands of years the ancient Greeks connected Malaria Fever with marshes and called it, Paludism. The specific drug - cinchona and its chief alkaloid, quinine has been long known. The authentic knowledge of the mode of infection through an intermediate host, - anopheles,was indirectly initiated by Sir Ronald Ross and confirmed later by other research workers.The ancient inhabitants of Lagos also connected fevers with marshes and mosquitoes long before the scientific proof. They therefore took various precautions against infections. Sir Ronald Ross visited Lagos through the invitation of Sir William McGregor, M.D., and the former suggested definite k we anti - malaria measures which ha-lbeen magnified through time.J. Gordon Thomson suggested complement fixation test for Malaria on the basis of Khan or Wassermann Reaction. Later on Henry developed the Melano- Flocculation test which was subsequently modified by Col. Greig and others and re -named Melano- precipitatim Reaction.Plasmochin introduced for Malaria therapy and was later combined with quinine - Plasmoquine Co. Atebrin followed Plasmoquine Co. after some years. Malarial patients at Lagos had definite predisposing causes.The climate and constantly interrupted chain of hygienic measures offer a suitable prospect to the highly adaptive local species of Anopheles costalis and Anopheles gambiae,the intermediate hosts. The Major Anti - Malaria measures are efficiently controlled by the local Government.Minor preventive measures stressed by me consisted of: (1) Demonstrations, (2) Bonification, (3) Mosquito- netting, (4) Drug- taking, (5) Importance of early treatment and (6) Mass education.Curative treatment was: - (a) General. (b) Drugs - cuinine, Plasmoquine Co., ,,Decoct. Cassia Co., and Decoct. Emilia Sagitata.Cases treated were:- 75 with quinine. 10 with Plasmoquine Co. 75 with Atebrin. 35 with Decoct. Cassia Co. 35 with Decoct. Sagitata. 23