Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-04
Mosquitoes Some Practical Hints for
Protection from the Pests.

\ slight draft helps the musquitO, if it
is in the direction in which he wishes to
move, Just as il helps any flying or float
ing thing; while gale blows him to de-
structiOn, i'll like manner. He does not,
like a moth, make for candle and burn
mis- wings; but, like a sensible creature
as lie is, he uses a light for his guide, and
he knows that where he sees lights burn
ing there are huge creatures to be found
which bencficent nature has provided for
the delectatiOn OF his race; and so where
he sees light nc ''gOes for it, although
once within the walls of the house III
which it burns, he is comparatively in
different to it, finding ia the inhabitants,
whether they sit in dark corners or not,
metal much more attractive. . -.
The first step to be taken for protection
from mosquitoes is to keep the windows
and doors shut in the early evening. The
time when the insect takes his walks a
broad is from an hour before to an hour
after sunset, just the time, by the way,
at which the miasma of fever and ague is
most active. At this time, and not much
at any other, the mosquito enters houses.
He, of course, may come in at others, but
in very small numbers. Closed windows
at this time, and an active slaughtering
of such as may have entered at others,
Will keep a house pretty free of the pest.
After the night has well settled down,
the windows may be opened almost with
impunity, as the insect does not rove
about in flocks after that time. But win
dows opened about dusk are likely TO be
entered by winged professions, and
light IS, as wc have said, guide, if not
an attraction. The closing of windows
by gauZe acting in the day time-that is,
after the early hOuTS-iS generally super
fluouS, as the insect i inclined To be quiet
then, except in dark, moist weather.
The notion that he shuns light is falla-
ciOus, and Is likely to have a very pointed
sort of refutation. As to protection
against him when he is once established
in the house. there Is none, except net
ting, and as people cann0t live under
nets. this is available only at bedtime.
Like all insects, however, he shuns cam
phor, and the sprinkling of this Is some
defence while the OdOT lasts. An Oint-
ment might be made of il which would
act like plate-armor to those who would
be willing TO smear their hands and faces
with II; and under some visitatiOns of
this animal, one might be ready to smear
ones self from head to foot with any
thing to get relief. But let no one be
misled by another theory, that as the
mosquitoes poison is infused into their
blood it is drawn ont with the blood, and
| therefore if a mosquito has begun his re-
past upon YOUR nose or your knuckleS il
is better to let him finish than to drive
him away. The proof of the pudding is
in this case decidedly in the eating, and
it will befound that the mosquito un-
gratefully leaves torment behind him
| even when he is allowed TO fly off gorged
with the fluid that he loves, Get rid of
/ him rs soon as possible. The patent an
| tidotes TO mosquito bites are all catch
penny frauds. There is no relief except
q little diluted spirits of hartshOrn, and
| this is only partial. a perfect antidOte
! is n great desideratum; for the effect of
I the bite lasts long with many people, and
| in some produces very unpleasant eonse-
! QuenceS N. y. Times.