[Malary in Basilicata]

In this paper the geological, idrographical, climatical, and, above all, social and cultural conditions, favouring the atavic presence of malary in Basilicata (Lucania) -in the late 19th century the death-rate was three times the national average - are shortly surveyed. From these remarks we tried to outline the main steps of the struggle against malary in the first half of the 20th century, when land reclaimers, doctors, hospital attendants, hydraulic engineers, workmen, and farmers joined their efforts to eradicate the plague.