Housekeeping in the Tropics

Conducted by “Dorothea ”

HOW many women who live in the Tropics are aware that there are certain colours that the Anopheles mos quito will not go near? Therefore, house keepers should use as much as possible of these colours in their clothing and furnishings. They are: White, pale orange, pale green, pale blue, and lemon.

Never use the dark green mosquito nets that are sold by some of the stores —the “skeeter” loves them.

Malaria—lts Treatment And

Prevention

IT is amazing how very little is known about malaria, even by those of long resi dence in the Islands. Children re-act badly to the disease and require much more care tha,n adults, and it is encum bent on all parents to have all the know ledge possible both as to treatment, clothing and diet.

Malaria is passed from a person with malaria to another person by means of the Anopheles mosquito. The mosquito may be destroyed in the “wiggletail” or “tumbler” form by spreading oil or Paris green on the water where they breed, or the ponds may be stocked with top min nows, which eat the mosquito larvae. To prevent the mosquito from entering houses, use wire screens with at least 16 meshes to the inch.

Quinine will kill the parasite when it has entered the blood, if properly ad ministered doses are given.

Every malaria attack that is a typical attack has four stages: (1) Premonitary stage (sometimes ab sent). This lasts a variable time, perhaps a few years, or only a few days. There is lassitude, aching of the bones, head ache, yawning, loss of appetite and oc casionally vomiting. One of the most characteristic symptoms is chilly sen sations up and down the spine. (2) Cold or chill stage (always pre sent). It lasts about 1 hour, the teeth chatter and the patient shivers from head to foot, and wraps himself up in blankets, although the temperature outside may be quite high. Vomiting may become very distressing. The features are drawn, the skin pale and blue, the body temperature is very high, urine is passed frequently.

At this stage, children frequently have convulsions. (3) Hot stage (lasts about 11 hours).

There are waves of intense heat passing over the body; the blankets are thrown off and there is a desire for more air: the face now becomes flushed and there is a very rapid and bounding pulse. The headache is intense; vomiting is more frequent, respiration is hurried, eyes are bloodshot, skin is now dry and burning, (temp. 104-106); the frequency of ma turation is now replaced by scanty micturation. (4) Sweating stage. This lasts from 2-4 hours. There is profuse perspiration: the fever rapidly declines and relief comes to the patient. He falls into a sleep, and the temperature of the body declines.

The patient will now feel completely re

lieved, though sometimes there might still be a slight persisting headache.

During these four stages the spleen en larges temporarily —it may be four .finger lengths under the ribs—but then it will return almost to normal after the attack.

As it is left a little larger after each attack, after years of chronic malaria it may be enlarged to an enormous degree. (The enlargement of the spleen in child ren is used to measure the prevalence of malaria in the district.) After a certain length of time the children seem to be come immune to malaria, but the spleen remains enlarged.

It Happened One Day

(Acknowledgment to J. W. Thompson, Bulolo, T.N.G.) f have never forgotten my first impression of what fun one can get out of observing the remarks of the boys.

On arriving at a party given by a local Magistrate, I was impressed with the frigid atmosphere of the place—not the usual cocktail party atmosphere—one had to create an impression on these young tourists. Everything was very dignified and solemn, and I was, preparing to be thoroughly bored, when a remark from one of the boys, altered the evening en tirely—for me.

A very austere and dignified old lady, in a dress nothing under the thirty guineas mark, and seeking (with the help of the dress, and an acquired accent) to impress the company, ordered a cocktail.

I happened to overhear how the order was passed on, as follows; “Missy belong black calico, she wantein cocktail.”

Little Islanders’ Corner

1 DOROTHEA" welcomes little Islanders from Papua, Suva. Solomon Islands and New Guinea, and if any children de sire pen-friends, or to exchange stamps.

“Dorothea” can help them.

A packet of stamps has been sent to Linda Caine of Suva, who wants pen friends as well.

Dear Dorothea, — I would like very much to correspond with young people, about 17, who are interested in stamp collecting, reading, all sports, and photography.

Would you be so kind as to get me some pen friends in Africa, India, Burma, Hawaii, and New Guinea ? 1 have no one to write to in those countries, in which I am very interested, and would be very pleased indeed if I could exchange friendly letters with anyone in those places who would care to write to a girl in Fiji.

Suva is a very picturesque town as seen from the harbour. It has many well-paved streets, "beautiful botanic gardens, recreation grounds, and many fine buildings. Suva Harbour can accommo date the largest ships in the world, and even H.M.S. Hood can berth alongside our quays. Many shipping lines make Suva a port of call on account of its geographical position. It is also the base for H.M. New Zealand warships on their winter cruise to the islands. Suva’s population ,is a cosmopolitan one, consisting of the native race (the Fijians), Indians, a number of Chinese, a few Japa

nese, and a sprinkling from practically every island in the Pacific, not to mention about 5000 Europeans.

Sincerely yours,

Linda Caine.

Suva, Fiji.

Dear Dorothea,— Since returning to Papua, where I live, I nave been engaged re-visiting old friends and also con tinuing my studies. We are all very enthusiastic over the newly formed Boy Scout Troop, and it

promises to be very popular in Port Moresby. My sister Gena has had a very bad accident to her foot, but my first-aid knowlege was of great help until the medical man fixed up the wound.

It is very wild country out here and the natives are very primitive, although their craft work, such as baskets, intricately woven, shields, and weapons, are very much sought after by tourists and visitors and in that way the villagers are able to earn a little money.

I am grateful for any papers or magazines as I pass them on to others when I am finished. With all good wishes for the section.

Yours sincerely,

Willie Gavera.

Rarai, Mekeo District, Via Kairuku, Central Division, Papua.