RAVAGES OF MALARIA

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21708, 20 April 1942, Page 4

RAVAGES OF MALARIA

THOUSANDS OF CASES LAST TERRIBLE DAYS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tei. Copyright) (Received ADril 20. 3.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 20 Malaria mosquitoes were more responsible for the fall of Batan than Japanese bullets, says the United Press correspondent, Mr Frank Hewlett, who was one of a party brought to Australia by American planes which raided the Philippines. During the last terrible days before the collapse Baton’s two field hospitals had 10,000 patients, of whom the great majority were malaria cases. Approximately another 10,000 troops were confined to their camps as lighter malaria cases. As long as the quinine lasted the Americans were able to ward off the fever, but when supplies started to dwindle to the stage where they were available only for the treatment of victims malaria became widespread. Many soldiers had a combination of malaria and mild dysentery, which sapped their strength and left them physically unable to carry on. Batan’s soldiers never lacked ammunition. Early in January the army went on half rations of two small meals a day. Then, during the last few weeks, the rations were slashed again by at least another 50 per cent. Every caribou on Batan was slaughtered, as were the 26th Cavalry's horses and most of the hack mules. Many soldiers ate monkey meat.