Disease and Imperialism in Africa Disease was prevalent in Africa during the period of European imperialism. The disease affected both native and European populations in Africa. African diseases affected both natives and European explorers and soldiers, as did diseases brought by Europeans that affected Africans. Numerouk diseases affected Europeans in Africa during the period of imperialism. During the period of imperialism many explorers and soldiers died of diseases. “During 1804-25 over 60 percent of the men sent out by the Church Missionary Society died of disease” (McLynn 228). Traveling in Africa was very dangerous. “Before the 19th century, European soldiers in tropical areas [in Africa] died of disease at a rate four to five times higher than those in Europe” (Curtin). “By far the greatest mortality in Africa was malaria” (McLynn 228). Entire expeditions often died of disease en route to Africa. "Of the 40 men who accompanied Mongo Park's second expedition to Niger in 1805, none returned to England. Six were killed in battle, the remainder dying of malaria or dysentery" (McLynn 228). Europeans had no means to cure or prevent these diseases because they knew so little about them. “Traditional remedies consisted of lying in steam baths, taking cold baths in the sea, applying bister, or ingesting doses of strychnine, arsenic, and calomel” (McLynn 232). The disease prevented Europeans from moving rapidly across Africa. Symptoms of illness and loss of life stopped exploration. The symptoms of malaria were disabling; they included “chills, fever and sweats” (“Malaria”). The cause of malaria was unknown until it was discovered to be "caused by a human blood parasite,...... middle of paper......rta. CD-ROM. Microsoft. 1994.Manderson, Lenore Ph.D. "Public Health Developments in Colonial Malaya: Colonialism and the Politics of Prevention" America Journal of Public Health, January 1999: 102-107. .com/nw-srv/printed/us/in/a4881-2000jan9.htm.McLynn, Frank Hearts of Darkness: The European Exploration of Africa New York: Carrol &. Graf, 1993. 227-252.Reader, John Africa : A Biography of the Continent. New York: Vintage Books, 1997. 239-248. Smaldone, Joseph P. “Disease and Empire: The Health of European Troops in the Conquest of Africa.” The Journal of Military History. April 1999: 453-455. Online. Proquest. Proquest UMI. February 28, 2000. Wekesser, Carol, ed. Africa: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1992. 24-32.