Segment 1 A mosquito is seen drawing blood from a wrist. The narrator explains that only the female of the anopheles genus transmits malaria. A microscopic view of the blood from a mosquito's abdomen is seen. Illustrations show malaria parasites fusing to produce a zygote as the narrator explains the cycle of transmitting malaria from one person to another. The mosquito has taken in blood from an infected person. Oocysts are formed on the mosquito's stomach wall and sporozoites then enter the mosquito's saliva glands; these are injected into the next person that the mosquito bites. The narrator summarises this cycle. Extracts from the 1953 Wellcome-produced film 'Dissection of a Mosquito for Malaria Parasite' are shown. A captured mosquito is stunned and killed. Its legs are pulled off and wings and head removed. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:04:34:00 Length: 00:04:34:00
Segment 2 The mosquito's body is magnified and its saliva glands are gently pushed out into saline solution. This solution is examined under a microscope for sporozoites, which are seen in magnified view. The stomach is then removed and again viewed under a microscope. Oocysts are seen. Time start: 00:04:34:00 Time end: 00:08:16:12 Length: 00:03:42:12
Segment 3 Next, the narrator explains that to determine the rate of malaria infection in an area, many mosquitoes must be dissected. This is labour intensive. A modern technique, Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) is described. This uses enzymes and animo acids to detect sporozoites in samples and is capable of processing 3000 samples a day, compared with manual dissection's 100 per day. A demonstration using the simplest ELISA equipment is seen, but automatic machines are also seen at work. The narrator mentions that this test can also be used to detect the AIDS virus. The film ends with the narrator saying that manual dissection is still important for use in areas where the ELISA technique is not available. Time start: 00:08:16:12 Time end: 00:13:23:23 Length: 00:05:07:11