Antimalarial Campaign for GIs, Daddy-O Style

Theodor Seuss Geisel;
 from 1943 War Department

“This is Ann…” writes Theodor Seuss Geisel [yes, Dr. Seuss] in his 1943 World War II Army instructional pamphlet about how GIs can protect themselves [in Africa, the Caribbean, India, South and Southwest Pacific and other “hot spots”] from the Anopheles mosquito.

• Use netting correctly
• Wear clothing
• Wear repellent even over clothing [especially over the seat of the pants as this is a favorite target].
• Army is draining pools and ditches and poisoning ones that can’t be drained.
• Don’t go into native villages.
• Report headaches, chills, and fevers and seek treatment.

His illustrations are what you would expect, but the prose is non-rhyming and the dialog not appropriate for young children:

“The best protection you have with you all the time is your clothes. If you go running around like a strip teaser, you haven’t got a chance”….from Theodor Seuss Geisel: The Early Works of Dr. Seuss vol 1; 2005; Checker Book Publishing Group

All-in-all, it’s fun to see his foray into infectious diseases. Also included in this book are WWII editorial cartoons, a mention of his WWII documentaries written with Chuck Jones, and various advertising campaigns he was involved in.