A Half Century of Progress in the Field of Medical Entomology in the State of Florida

Florida could be classed as the Crown Jewel of the North American Continent, in that it stands out as a shining light by the brilliance of its sunshine and by the pointed fact that it is a peninsular, giving life to a luxurious flora and to an abundant and unique fauna. It would seem natural that the Great Creator should have guided the first explorers to the land of sunshine and flowers with all of its splendor and beauty which became a mecca for the naturalists in the early days following her discovery. The cradle of American democracy with its pearly white beaches bathed by the blue-green waters of the briny deep surrounding the great paradise now known as Florida was also to experience the bitter with the sweet. The early settlers were to suffer crippling losses from the stings of mosquitoes which caused the people to stagger and fall under the yoke of malaria; to have their bones seemingly break from the scourge of dengue fever and to go into panic at the mention of yellow fever, all known today to be transmitted by mosquitoes. Malaria, under a variety of names, has been a terrible scourge to the people of Florida. Until very recent times it was, in fact, the pestilence of Florida. By coincidence, or otherwise, the early settlements were almost entirely within what was later defined as the "Malaria belt" of the State. Tallahassee, the capitol, was in the midst of this region. The following statement from an early work ("Views and Recollections of North America" by the Count of Castlenau, 1842) reveals what malaria meant to the Tallahassee of a hundred years ago. "But unfortunately in opposition to these numerous advantages there are the greatest plagues that can afflict a new settlement; and unhealthful climate; every year bilious fevers of a most dangerous nature spread consternation in the whole region. Then all the shops are closed, the fear of the epidemic and the stifling heat caused the planters of the neighborhood to leave the city, and all the inhabitants who can afford the expense of this kind