Guide No. 147:

Vector Control Photographs, Ca. 1935-1968

Scope and Contents

Black and white and color photographic prints.

The City of Dallas Department of Environmental and Health Services was organized in 1931 as the City of Dallas Health Department, although there has been a health officer serving the city since 1873. The department provides services to citizens through two major divisions, Environmental/Public Health and Human Services. In addition to traditional public health services such as restaurant inspection, air pollution control, immunizations, mosquito control, and health education, the department administers a wide range of programs designed to enable citizens to make informed decisions and achieve and maintain an improved quality of life. Department staff also provide oversight for grant and city funds allocated to community-based organizations for a variety of needs, including health, dental, AIDS-related, family violence, drug abuse, child care, gang intervention, homeless, and geriatric services, as well as services for persons with disabilities.

Vector control is defined as any method to limit or eradicate the mammals, birds or insects which transmit disease pathogens. The most frequent types of vector control are mosquito and rodent control. The City of Dallas has fought mosquitoes as early as 1902 and has since waged many successful campaigns against malaria, typhus, and in recent years, the West Nile virus.

Collection consists of black and white photographic prints and a smaller number of color and black and white Polaroid prints documenting various vector control activities, including inspection, treatment, and public education.

Detailed Description of the Collection