[A history of Malaria from and for a popular point of view].

The author outlines parasitologic features of human plasmodia and Anopheles, the public health and human aspects of this protozoan infection. Starting from the etymology of the words "mal' aria," the author describes a brief but proven history of social importance, dwelling not only on the clinical, medical or scientific aspects. In other words, the author dwells upon the literary, the customary, as well as on the historic and cultural aspects, with special attention to the significance of the popular importance of this problem in Italy.