Album with 82 photographs depicting Lake Hula and its vicinity, Arab residents of the Hula Valley, and efforts to eradicate Malaria in Palestine, led by physician and scientist Gideon Mer. Palestine: [1930-1940s?].
Among the photographs: Views of the Hula Valley: Cyperus plants on the banks of the Hula Lake, the Jordan River, Ottoman Daughters of Jacob Bridge; Arabs, residents of the Hula Valley: hut constructed of Cyperus mats, fishermen on "papyrus fishing boats", locals ill with Malaria, and more; physician Gideon Mer: treating malaria patients, at work in the Hebrew University's Malaria laboratory alongside his team of researchers, in British army uniform, and more.
Malaria was common in Palestine, spread widely across its urban areas, lowlands and valleys. It was particularly common in the Hula Valley. The Ottomans did little to nothing to contain the disease in Palestine, but as the British conquered the territory, efforts increased. Conducted by the Mandatory government and the Zionist organizations, the struggle grew more persistent and systematic: statistical data was collected, an anti-malaria service was established, and swamp draining operations were being carried out, in an effort to reduce the hatching areas of the Anopheles mosquito, responsible for spreading the disease.
Epidemiologist, physician and world-renowned Malaria researcher Gideon Mer (1894-1961; born in Lithuania), played a significant role in the efforts to eradicate Malaria in Palestine. Owing to his vigorous work, the disease had first disappeared from the Hula Valley, and later – from the entire country.
82 photographs placed in an album, most are mounted to album leaves (one photo detached; some photos partly detached). Size and condition vary (approx. 6X4.5 cm to 16X12.5 cm). Album: 19X17 cm. Stains, creases and tears to some photos. Minor blemishes and abrasions to cover. Album missing part of closure.