The map above was created in 1943 by a young Army Captain named Theodore Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) to educate American servicemen about the dangers of malaria. Titled This is Ann . . . She drinks blood! you can see his very unique illustrations for the mosquitos.
Text from the image:
“THIS IS Ann… she drinks blood!
Her full name is Anopheles Mosquito and she’s dying to meet you!
Her trade is dishing out MALARIA! If you’ll take a look at the map below you can see where she hangs out.
She can knock you flat so you’re no good to your country, your outfit or yourself. You’ve got the dope, the nets and stuff to lick her if you will USE IT.
Use a little horse sense and you can lick Ann. Get sloppy and careless about her and she’ll bat you down just as surely as a bomb, a bullet or a shell.”
A summary of the map from Boston Rare Maps.
This rare 1943 American military poster was created to educate soldiers about the dangers of malaria during World War II.
Following Japan’s conquest of major quinine-producing regions in Southeast Asia, malaria became a serious threat to Allied troops, sometimes causing more casualties than combat itself.
The poster, titled “This Is Ann… She Drinks Blood!”, uses humour and illustrations attributed to Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) to encourage soldiers to protect themselves against mosquitoes.
It also features a world map highlighting areas at greatest risk of malaria, including southern Italy and the South Pacific, where American forces were fighting.
The poster formed part of a wider military campaign to prevent malaria through education and public health measures.
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