World Map of Major Tropical Diseases

A gruesome overview of some of the world’s deadliest tropical diseases.

This graphic world map uses hideous imagery and vivid color to highlight the prevalence of fifteen of the world’s most common tropical diseases. The illustrations tend towards using the most visually repellant aspects of each disease – rodent transmitters, physical ailments, and numerous creepy crawlers. The map is packed with these images, and coupled with the alarming size of the red area under the threat of malarial infection, provides an urgent appeal to the audience on the seriousness of the global situation. Drawn by artist Boris Artzybasheff and published in a May 1944 issue of LIFE Magazine.