The Seasonal Periodicity of Malaria and The Mechanism of the Epidemic Wave [antikvár]

PREFACE The literature of malaria is so voluminous that an apology, or at any rate an explanation, is necessary on the part of anyone who ventures to add to its bulk. Nevertheless, in spite of the existence of numerous treatises dealing exhaustively with almost every aspect of malaria, no comprehensive study of the seasonal periodicity of malaria appears to have been undertaken. . If, therefore, it be necessary to justify the publication of this volume, it must be that a monograph on this subject is calculated to fill an existing void and to meet a real need. Periodicity is, indeed, one of the most striking features of the epidemiology of malaria, and the main reason why this characteristic of the disease has not hitherto been studied is probably the absence of the scientific data necessary for the purpose. The salient features of the epidemiology of malaria have, it is true, long been known, but, until recently, many gaps remained unfilled; thanks, however, to the researches of malariologists in many countries during the past twenty years, important additions to knowledge have been made, and it is thought that the time has arrived when a comprehensive and at the same time an intensive study of the seasonal periodicity of malaria in all parts of the world might properly be undertaken. It was accordingly decided some two years ago to take up the study of this question, and the present volume contains an account of the investigation. In carrying out an investigation dealing with malaria in many parts of the world the author has necessarily had to draw largely upon the work of others, and, in doing so, has contracted obligations in many directions which he desires to take this opportunity of fully and gratefully acknowledging. In the case of malaria in N. Europe (Chapter III), full use has