Simian Malarias in Man: Facts, Implications, and Predictions *

Abstract

The Committee, in giving me the opportunity to deliver this Charles Franklin Craig Lecture, has paid me a signal honor. The high standard set by the distinguished speakers who have preceeded me in this role should have deterred me, but casting caution aside—I accepted. I hope the Committee will not lose face as a result of my decision and that the Society will not only survive but also continue to flourish. There is little doubt that simian plasmodia were seen around the turn of the century, although the first detailed description did not appear until 1907. As descriptions of other species appeared, it was realized that many of them were morphologically similar to the malaria parasites of man. It is not surprising, therefore, that attempts would be made to set up infections with these parasites in man. Blacklock and Adler in 1922 carried out the first trial using Plasmodium reichenowi. It failed.