On the Centenary of Sir Ronald Ross's Discovery of the Role of the Mosquito in the Life Cycle of the Malaria Parasite

Ross R . On some peculiar pigmented cells found in two mosquitos fed on malarial blood. BMJ 1897; ii: 1786–8.

Ross R . Studies on Malaria. London: John Murray, 1928: 16.

From Ross's description (op. cit. réf. 1), it can be assumed that the species of the parasite was Plasmodium falciparum; later, he wrote (op. cit. ref. 2: 9) that the mosquitoes were probably Anopheles stephensi.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 1): 1787.

Ibid.

Ross R . The role of the mosquito in the evolution of the malarial parasite. The recent researches of Surgeon-Major Ronald Ross, I.M.S. Lancet 1898; ii: 488–9.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 2): 15.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 6): 488.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 2): 15.

Wasson T. , ed. Nobel Prize Winners. New York: HW Wilson, 1987: 887–8.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 2): 15.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 6): 488.

Ibid.: 488.

In 1906, Sergent and Sergent found that the vectors of Haemoproteus are not mosquitoes but, rather, hippoboscid flies, such as Pseudolynchia canariensis. Cited by Baker JR . A new vector of Haemoproteus columbae in England. J Protozool 1957; 4: 204–8.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 6): 489.

Ross's papers of 1897 (ref. 1) and 1898 (ref. 6) do not have references and this author has, therefore, inserted dates to be of assistance to the reader. Manson's role in Ross's work was immeasurable and Ross acknowledged this in his conclusion of a detailed review of his investigations. He wrote: “These observations prove the mosquito theory of malaria as expounded by Dr Patrick Manson … I have constantly received the benefit of his advice during the enquiry. His brilliant induction so accurately indicated the true line of research that it has been my part merely to follow its direction.” Ross R. Report on the cultivation of proteosoma, Labbé, in grey mosquitos. Indian Med Gaz 1898; 33: 401–8, 448–51.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 6): 489.

Ibid.: 489.

Ibid.: 489.

Garnham PCC . Malaria Parasites and Other Haemosporidia. Oxford: Blackwell, 1966: 10.

Bignami A . The inoculation theory of malarial infection. Account of a successful experiment with mosquitoes. Lancet 1898; ii: 1543.

Ibid.: 1543.

Ibid.: 1542.

Ibid.: 1543.

Bignami's paper (op. cit. ref. 21) is dated 10 December 1898.

Anonymous . The malaria expedition to Sierra Leone. BMJ 1899; ii: 675–6.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 2): 45.

Because Ross's name does not appear as an author, these articles are not included in his bibliography published in the Index-Catalogue of Medical and Veterinary Zoology and, perhaps, in similar sources. Another variation from the usual is that the papers are written in the third person.

Anonymous (op. cit. ref. 26): 675.

Ibid.: 675.

Ross R . The extirpation of the mosquito. BMJ 1899; ii: 314–15.

Anonymous . The medical expedition to Sierra Leone. BMJ 1899; ii: 167.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 2): 114–18.

Ibid.: 71–3.

Ibid.: 127–8.

Siegfried A . Suez and Panama. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1940: 302.

Haskin FJ . The Panama Canal. Garden City, New York: Doubleday, Page and Co, 1914: 105.

Regarding the British to whom debt is due, Haskin (ibid.: 105–6) commended not only Ross; if one, he wrote, “is just to all who have contributed to the establishment of the insect-bearing theory of disease, he must not forget Sir Patrick Manson” and his discoveries on mosquito transmission of filariasis and the mentoring of Ross.

Gorgas WC . Sanitation in Panama. New York and London: D Appleton and Co, 1918: 74.

Ibid.: 141.

Gibson ME . The Ross/Osler correspondence. J Med Biog 1993; 1: 117–24.

Ross R (op. cit. ref. 5): 489.

US Department of Health and Human Services: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Information for International Travel 1995; August 1995: 122–3.

Brown GV . Chemoprophylaxis of malaria. Med J Aust 1993; 159: 187–96.

World Health Organization . Weekly Epidemiological Record 1994; 69: 309–16.