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Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan: A national programme to ... - Vigyan Prasar

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11<br />

While posted in Ooty, he fell ill with malaria. After this, he was<br />

transferred <strong>to</strong> the medical school in Osmania University, Secunderabad.<br />

He discovered the presence of the malarial parasite within a specific<br />

species of mosqui<strong>to</strong>, of the genus Anopheles. He initially called<br />

them dapple-wings.<br />

Ross made his crucial discovery while dissecting the s<strong>to</strong>mach of<br />

a mosqui<strong>to</strong> fed on the blood a malaria victim. He found the previously<br />

observed parasite. Through further study, he established the complete<br />

life cycle of this parasite. He contributed majorly <strong>to</strong> the epidemiology<br />

of malaria and brought a method <strong>to</strong> its survey and assessment. Most<br />

importantly, he made mathematical models for further study.<br />

In 1902, Ross was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his<br />

remarkable work on malaria and was conferred Knighthood as mark<br />

of his great contribution <strong>to</strong> the world of medicine. In 1926, he became<br />

Direc<strong>to</strong>r of the Ross Institute and Hospital for Tropical Diseases in<br />

London, which was founded in his honour. Ross dedicatedly advocated<br />

the cause and prevention of malaria in different countries by conducting<br />

surveys and initiating schemes in many places, including West Africa,<br />

Greece, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Cyprus and many areas affected by the First<br />

World War.<br />

In India, Ross is remembered with great respect and love. There<br />

are roads named after him in many Indian <strong>to</strong>wns and cities. The<br />

regional infectious disease hospital at Hyderabad was named after him<br />

as Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Tropical and Communicable Diseases in<br />

recognition of his service. The building where he worked and discovered<br />

the malarial parasite, located in Secunderabad near the old Begumpet<br />

airport, is a heritage site and the road leading up <strong>to</strong> the building is<br />

named Sir Ronald Ross Road.<br />

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