The mosquito crusades : a history of the American anti-mosquito movement from the Reed Commission to the first Earth Day / Gordon Patterson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Patterson, Gordon M.

Contributor:

Patterson, Gordon M.

Series:

Studies in modern science, technology, and the environment.

Studies in modern science, technology, and the environment

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mosquitoes as carriers of disease--United States.

Mosquitoes as carriers of disease.

Mosquitoes--Control--United States--History--20th century.

Mosquitoes.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (286 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Brunswick, N.J. : Rutgers University Press, c2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Among the struggles of the twentieth century, the one between humans and mosquitoes may have been the most vexing, as demonstrated by the long battle to control these bloodsucking pests. As vectors of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis, and dengue fever, mosquitoes forced open a new chapter in the history of medical entomology. Based on extensive use of primary sources, The Mosquito Crusades traces this saga and the parallel efforts of civic groups in New Jersey's Meadowlands and along San Francisco Bay's east side to manage the dangerous mosquito population. Providing readers with a fascinating exploration of the relationship between science, technology, and public policy, Gordon Patterson's narrative begins in New Jersey with John B. Smith's effort to develop a comprehensive plan and solution for mosquito control, one that would serve as a national model. From the Reed Commission's 1900 yellow fever experiment to the first Earth Day seventy years later, Patterson provides an eye-opening account of the crusade to curtail the deadly mosquito population.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Introduction. The Guardians of Paradise

Chapter 1. Waging War on the Insect Menace

Chapter 2. The Garden State Takes the Lead

Chapter 3. A Continental Crusade

Chapter 4. Public Health, Race, and Mosquitoes

Chapter 5. Widening the Campaign

Chapter 6. Advances and Retreats during the Great Depression

Chapter 7. Weapons of Mass Destruction

Chapter 8. The Postwar Era

Chapter 9. Discontent and Resistance

Epilogue. The End of the Crusade

Notes

Index

About the Author

Notes:

"Sequel to The mosquito wars: a history of mosquito control in Florida, which appeared in 2004"--Pref.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-253) and index.

Related Work:

Patterson, Gordon M. Mosquito wars.

ISBN:

1-282-07860-7

9786612078606

0-8135-4700-8

OCLC:

318672344