Unseen Enemies

Unseen Enemies: The Fight to Control Mosquitoes, Lice, Flies and Other Deadly Insects in World War II, first published in 1958 as Entomology in World War II, is the fascinating, little-told story of the vital role played by scientists to control insects and insect-related diseases during the Second World War. In both the European and Pacific theaters of the war, insect-related diseases were a constant danger to soldiers and civilian, ranging from skin irritations to severe, life-threatening fevers of dengue or malaria, to potentially epidemic-causing plagues. Unseen Enemies provides a look at the nature of the most common insects affecting humans - mosquitoes, lice, mites, flies, and fleas, and discusses the often new and innovative compounds and measures developed during the war for control. Fortunately, there are many success stories discussed in the book which aided the Allied war effort, and countless veterans would give thanks for the work done by these researchers to make their grim task safer and more comfortable.