Some years ago (probably three) I read a news article that Malaria had
been responsible for the deaths of 50% of the worlds population before
prophalactics had been invented. I am desperate to find the news
article again or a reference to the same information.

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Request for Question Clarification by answerfinder-ga on 29 May 2005 07:14 PDT

This paper: Evolutionary and Historical Aspects of the Burden of
Malaria, from the Clin Microbiol Rev. 2002 October, argues that it was
not until the 19th century that malaria extracted the highest death
toll. Have look at this article and tell me whether it meets your
requirement.

"...At some time during the 19th century, malaria reached its global
limits. In absolute numbers and in the proportion of the humanity now
affected, malaria was exacting its highest ever toll of sickness and
death. Well over one-half of the world's population was at significant
risk from malaria. Of those directly affected by malaria at least 1 in
10 could expect to die from it. The prosperity and well-being of all
who lived within its reach were reduced greatly and usually
catastrophically...."

"...These figures suggest that somewhere in the region of 150 million
to 300 million people have died from the effects of malaria during the
past 100 years. If it is taken that around 6,000 million people have
died during this period, malaria may be reckoned to have been a factor
in between 2 and 5% of all deaths across the planet in the 20th
century. It is possible to attribute up to 10% of global deaths to
malaria in the early part of the century."

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=12364370#N0x8377a18.0x86395c8

answerfinder-ga

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Clarification of Question by kwfriedman-ga on 30 May 2005 21:35 PDT

The article I read stated that before medicines form Malaria, 50% of
all (non-war related) deaths since year 1 could be attributed to
Malaria. Anything on that?