The Disappearance of Malaria from England

Abstract

Part I.—An attempt to interpret the available historical and statistical evidence of the distribution, incidence and character of malaria, from the seventeenth century onwards, and to ascertain to what degree the belief is justified that the disease was formerly prevalent and severe, but that within the last fifty years its incidence and fatality have declined continuously until, at the present day, it is usually said to have “disappeared” from this country. Part II is an examination of the causes of the decline of malarial incidence and severity during the period under consideration. Each of the factors or circumstances which from time to time has been thought to be concerned in the reduction is discussed in the light of the results of recent inquiries in the field and in the laboratory; and some factors are considered which have not received attention previously. A selection from the results of laboratory work in connection with the therapeutic use of malaria in general paralysis is included, where applicable, in the commentary. © 1929, The Royal Society of Medicine. All rights reserved.