During the Great Patriotic War, the comprehensive system of epidemic control measures prevented the spread of typhus, typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera, and tuberculosis. The fight against malaria was also successful.
Malaria is an acute infectious disease caused by single-celled microorganisms of the Plasmodium group. It is spread through bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. After the bite, the infection can be identified by such symptoms as fever, chills, and headache. The infection affects the liver and spleen.
During the Great Patriotic War, dangerous malaria outbreaks were observed at the Voronezh Front. The spread of malaria was facilitated by nearby lakes and swamps, especially near Stalingrad, on the Black Sea coast, and in some areas of Dagestan.
Pyrethrum candles helped prevent malaria among the troops. A 100-gramm candle of this type contained 50 grams of flour paste, 25 grams of saltpeter powder, 25 grams of sawdust, and 50 milliliters of water, which evaporated in the process of making the candle.
The active insecticide in this mixture was the powder of crushed chamomile flowers (pyrethrum). Each candle contained only a small amount of pyrethrum, between approximately 0.25 and 0.5 grams. It is a strong neurotoxin, which is lethal to insects, including malaria-carrying mosquitoes, even in very small quantities.
Pyrethrum has a limited toxic effect on humans and warm-blooded animals. When pyrethrum candles were used, the toxic agent spread across the room through the smoke from the smoldering candles for 30–60 minutes.
During the war, great attention was paid to every task aimed at achieving the most important goal — ensuring the health and epidemiological safety of the troops. The use of effective products, including pyrethrum candles, helped to prevent major epidemics of infectious diseases in the army and the rear. Many of these products are now displayed in the museum.
Malaria is an acute infectious disease caused by single-celled microorganisms of the Plasmodium group. It is spread through bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. After the bite, the infection can be identified by such symptoms as fever, chills, and headache. The infection affects the liver and spleen.
During the Great Patriotic War, dangerous malaria outbreaks were observed at the Voronezh Front. The spread of malaria was facilitated by nearby lakes and swamps, especially near Stalingrad, on the Black Sea coast, and in some areas of Dagestan.
Pyrethrum candles helped prevent malaria among the troops. A 100-gramm candle of this type contained 50 grams of flour paste, 25 grams of saltpeter powder, 25 grams of sawdust, and 50 milliliters of water, which evaporated in the process of making the candle.
The active insecticide in this mixture was the powder of crushed chamomile flowers (pyrethrum). Each candle contained only a small amount of pyrethrum, between approximately 0.25 and 0.5 grams. It is a strong neurotoxin, which is lethal to insects, including malaria-carrying mosquitoes, even in very small quantities.
Pyrethrum has a limited toxic effect on humans and warm-blooded animals. When pyrethrum candles were used, the toxic agent spread across the room through the smoke from the smoldering candles for 30–60 minutes.
During the war, great attention was paid to every task aimed at achieving the most important goal — ensuring the health and epidemiological safety of the troops. The use of effective products, including pyrethrum candles, helped to prevent major epidemics of infectious diseases in the army and the rear. Many of these products are now displayed in the museum.
