Morning journal and courier., 1883-08-16
5saurnaI aliS Jourier.
SINGLE COPIES TaRER CENTS.
Thursday, August 1e, 1883.
MosaUTToEs AaD MaLaRTA.


 The villainous mosquito has no friends nor does he deserve any; and if it Is true, as has lately been charged, that he inocu- lates men, women and children with the mys- terious malaria, the general detsstation of him will greatly increase in vigor. In the current number of the Popular Science Monthly Professor A. F. A. King ably sets forth the reasons for believing that the mos quito may carry malaria on his proboscis and infect those he pierces with iG
 Disease producing bacteria germs are SO minute that million may rest on the head of pin, and the smallest puncture of the finest needle-pcint when charged with an atom szf pfaetsAg pnattax may ka ansRaisnA to infect the body. The mosquito has an in strument which he can plunge into person and the theory is that this instrument may carry with it the poison of malaria. Mala- ria especially affects low and moist localities So does the mosquito. Malaria is hardly ever developed at s lower temperature than 60o Fahr., and temperature of Goo is neces. sary for the development of the mosquito The evolution or active agency of malaria is checked by temperature of 32o E. The mosquito is killed or paralyzed, so that it's active agency is checked, by 8 temperature of 32o. Malaria is most abundant and most virulent as we approach the equator and the seacoast. So is the mosquito For ests, tracts of water, mosquito nets, etc., will check the progress of malaria They will also check the progress of the mosquito Malaria is most dangerous when the sun is down, and so is the mosquito. In malarial districts the use of fire affords comparative security against malarial disease. Fires also attract the mosquito and thus keep him away from human beings. Malarial diseases are most prevalent during the latter part of sum- mer and in the autumn, and so is the mos- quito The black man suffers less from ma laria than the white man, and here it would seem that.the mosquito theory would give out, but it does not It is pointed out that the negro is black and, in the absence of moonlight or artificial illumination, cannot at night be so readily seen as a white man he may therefore on this account escape the sight, and consequently the bite of the mos- quito The deep tint of his skin possibly constitutes ''protective colorine," such as in many other species affords defense against natural enemies. Moreover, the habit, common with many negro races in their native heath, of daily amounting the body with grease, affords additional protec- tion against mosquitoes, as do also, probab- ly, the offensive odor and greasiness of his cutaneous secretions.
 This is all very ingenious and interesting, even if it does not prove muck. It is plain hot n~Sz and that there is no locality noted for nala- rial disease where mosquitoes or other blood sucking insects do not exist If mosquitoes do carry malaria about with them there is some hope for those afflicted with it and those who are not yet poisoned Those who gre inclined to believe ia the theory gss forth by Professor King will be interested in his suggestions for fighting the malaria bearing mosquito. These are: Personal protection. especially during evening and night by gauge curtains, window screens, or clothing im- penetrable to their proboces, or by an inunc- tion of the whole body with some ''tersbinth- mate. camphorated, or eucalyptalized oint- ment or liniment." Domiciliary protection, exteriorly, by screens of trees, walls, fences. etc interposed at some distance between dwellings and the sources of malaria mos quito nurseries, together with fires, lamps, or electric lights, to act as traps for the at traction and destruction of such winged insects as may approach nearer; further protection in the interior of dwellings being secured by the use of smoke (such as that of tobacco or pyrethrum), or of some volatile oil, as of camphor, etc, which may be offensive to proboscidian iutruders- Mu- nicipal protection, by the destruction or draining of swamps and pools which produce mosquitoes; and by the planting of forests to obstruct the latter in their flight, or cordons of electric lights for the same purpose, as well as for the destruction of insects that may be attracted by the flame or incandes- cence
 When the scientific gentlemen find out what malaria is it will be a good idea to catch mosquito and see if he has any on his pro boscis Until then he may as well be chang ed with it as anything else. He deserves the worst that can be said of him.