Use of DDT for the Control of Cyclops Breeding and as an Antidracontiasis Measure

Till now for control of dracontiasis, the drinking water sources showing prolific breeding of c;/clops in endemic areas were either super' chlorinated or the biological method of control by introduction of cyclopscidal fishes like Ambassis, Etroplus, Barbus etc., was resorted to after the removal of the predatory fishes. Super-chlorination, if done regularly, gives fairly good results but social obstacles have to be overcome. Also super-chlorination will not be practicable where large volumes of water as i11 big tanks, large stepwells are involved. I*1 places where biological method is resorted to though control of cyclops breeding could be checked to a great extent, yet it must be said ' that the fish control has its own limitations. The infected cyclops is said to remain almost all the time at the bottom of wells or ponds exhibiting sluggish movement and very rarely coming to the surface of water. Hence it be' comes necessary to use such fishes mostly that