The blood had been studied time and again and the characteristic appearance of the blood of a malarial patient was well known. In 1880 Laveran, a French army surgeon in Algiers, began to study the blood of such patients microscopically and soon was able to demonstrate the parasite that caused the disease. His discoveries were not readily accepted, but other investigations soon confirmed his observations and the fact was gradually firmly established. Not until recently, however, did this distinguished physician receive a full recognition of his work. A few years ago he was awarded the Nobel prize for medicine, perhaps the highest honor that can be bestowed on any physician. It is interesting, too, to note in this connection that it was another French surgeon who in 1840 discovered that sulphate of quinine is a specific for malaria.
Fig. 96—Horse and cattle tracks in mud filled with water; good breeding-places for Anopheles.
Fig. 97—A malarial mosquito (Anopheles maculipennis); male.
Fig. 98—A malarial mosquito (A. maculipennis); female.