Antimalarial Campaign for GIs, Daddy-O Style

Booklet cover with caricature of Ann the mosquito in a come hither pose.
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.
  

Comments

  1. That is so cool. Have you read "Path Between the Seas" yet?

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  2. Thanks for mentioning that book Ernie. I am planning a post about it later in the year. David McCullough is a great writer. What in particular made you think of it?

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  3. Excellent, sounds as though it would have been useful and readable!

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