Science Unboxed:Mosquitoes, Malaria and the Raj

Disease was a major challenge to British imperialists in India during the 18th and 19th centuries, and none more so than malaria. In this teatime event we delve into the British Library’s India Office archives to uncover some of the hidden stories of malaria, its origins and control.

Actors Rebecca Tremain and Penny Dimond (The Mustard Club Theatre Company) will bring the archives to vivid life, revealing the curious remedies that were used to treat malaria before the introduction of quinine, and exploring Sir Ronald Ross’ key discovery that mosquitoes transmit the malaria parasite. From miasma to medicinal plants, through targeted elimination towards eradication, the event will also feature contemporary malaria scientists who will explain how our knowledge of malaria has developed up to the present day and what is now being done to combat the disease referred to by Sir Ronald Ross as sewing “thy cunning seeds, oh million murdering death”. Light refreshments will be provided  Note: This event introduces material that was uncovered during the Wellcome Trust funded India Office Medical Archives project.