OPTIMISTS’ CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 229, 27 August 1932, Page 2

OPTIMISTS’ CLUB.

Mr W. B. Tcnnent was the speaker at the weekly luncheon of the Palmerston North Optimists Club, held yesterday, in Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame’s luncheon room. The Ravages Caused by the Diseases of the Mosquito,” was Mr Tennent s subject. The speaker stated that malaria and elephantiasis were diseases of the tropics in which the mosquito was the deadly germ-carrier. Prior to the war malaria had caused the death of twice as many people as were killed during the world conflict. Malalia had long been recognised -as a disease of world-wide incidence and was caused by special micro-parasites in the blood. It was the cause of a higher death rate than any other disease. In tropical countries people took precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes by placing close mesh wire over their windows and by having double doors in their houses, while at night they used mosquito ooverino: from head to toot. a male mosquito laid about 200 eggs a one time, and from seven to ten days brought them to maturity. The wai carried on against these carriers of the malaria and elephantiasis germs was very intensive and their breeding places, which were usually in stagnant water, were destroyed with kerosene, cresol and waste oil. Dir Tennent told his listeners of the work of Laveran, who discovered the nialana germ, and Sir Patrick tho father of tropical disease study. The thanks of the club were extended to Mr Tennent at the conclusion of his address bv Optimist AV. Cameron, who presided. . Apologies for absence were received from Optimists R. A. Fuller, J. Smillie and G. Dawick (president of the club). Visitors welcomed were Messrs C. Fuller, J. Potts and C. Bergersen.