Mosquitoes feature in two Walt Disney films from the 1930's and 40's
'Camping out' and 'The Winged Scourge'
Both films illustrate the difficulties of a light-hearted approach to a serious health risk.
'Camping out 'portrays a battle between Mickey Mouse and friends against an army of determined mosquitoes. The weapons in use include a pop gun loaded with peas and sweetcorn, a hammer and a fly swatter.
Some scenes of multiple bites are difficult to watch as in real life the experience would be extremely painful.
Mosquitoes are clearly at fault in the second film: 'The Winged Scourge' which shows the impact of malaria on the heath and work of a farmer.
The film is best when it shows the mode of transmission: a newly-emerged female becomes infected by the malarial parasite and transmits it via her salivary secretions.
The film weighs melodramatically on the fate of a farmer, who, we learn, has failed to protect himself with a 'few easy precautions':
'Camping out' and 'The Winged Scourge'
'Camping out 'portrays a battle between Mickey Mouse and friends against an army of determined mosquitoes. The weapons in use include a pop gun loaded with peas and sweetcorn, a hammer and a fly swatter.
Some scenes of multiple bites are difficult to watch as in real life the experience would be extremely painful.
The mosquitoes are shown as resourceful, capable of considerable ingenuity in responding to each of the attacks. The mosquitoes are victims of several attacks by the campers. They are ultimately tricked into flying into an item of underwear which is kicked out of the campsite, to the campers' delight.
Mosquitoes are clearly at fault in the second film: 'The Winged Scourge' which shows the impact of malaria on the heath and work of a farmer.
The film is best when it shows the mode of transmission: a newly-emerged female becomes infected by the malarial parasite and transmits it via her salivary secretions.
The film weighs melodramatically on the fate of a farmer, who, we learn, has failed to protect himself with a 'few easy precautions':
- cut emergent plants
- spray oil on water
- dust with Paris Green
- drain pools and hollow stumps
- fill ponds with earth
- screen water butts
- spray insecticide indoors
- cover cracks in the walls and floor
- bury tin cans
- make door and window screens
- sleep under mosquito nets
Paris Green is a highly toxic preparation of arsenic no longer in use. Oil is likely to affect many aquatic animals apart from mosquitoes. While the precautions are adviseable, none of them are 100% effective.The film sounds a warning for those people who fail to follow the advice.
"Remember: there is only one cause of malaria: the mosquito. Destroy the mosquito and you will wipe out the disease."
This underplays the role of the malaria parasite which also plays a part. Overall the film shows a wide range of practical steps twhich help reduce the chances of being bitten. The only omission is the use of insect repellent cream.
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