Field trials of various molluscicides (chiefly sodium pentachlorophenate) for the control of aquatic intermediate hosts of human bilharziasis.

Field trials of various molluscicides-notably sodium pentachlorophenate, copper sulfate and dinitro-o-cyclohexylphenol-were carried out in Brazil in order to test their effectiveness against the aquatic intermediate hosts of human bilharziasis. Sodium pentachlorophenate was found to be the most effective in relation to cost and availability. Subsequent tests in Egypt, using sodium pentachlorophenate alone, while confirming the effectiveness of this molluscicide in bilharziasis control, have shown that the dosage and methods of application must be adapted to environmental conditions.