, 1885-06-06
The sanitary use of Flies and
Mosquitoes.
From the ArgOsy.)

NGFOW UNO %fSOoY'J
In making some microscopic eXamina-
tions of different kinds of water l came
upon certain facts which appear to me to
be new.
The reading public have become ac-
qualnted with the theories concerning
Bacteria, in connection with cholera and
some other diseases but as it is necessa-
~ TO have a clear idea of what these or.
ganiSms really are, l shall attempt to de-
scribe them.
Bacteria are now claSsed as fungi, but
they belong to that border land between
the animal and vegetable kingdoms,
where it is difficult to speak with any GER
tainty as to where one begins and the
other ends. They are very small, few ex-
ceedlng the thouSandth part of an inch in
length. They are generally either worm
like or oval in shape, and move in a pecu-
lar spiral manner. In the field Of a mi.
croSc0pe which magnifes 800 diameters
myIladS or these organisms may be seen
Swarmlng in their peculiar way, wriggling
or turning over Spirally from several points.
They are found in old watts when the
water Is low, III trenches when nearly dry,
and in all infusions of animal and vegeta-
bic matter when they begin to decompose.
1t is a popular notion, and | believe a
true one, that the first rains after a drought
cause diarrh1a and cole. The water at
the bottom Of the vat, has been ~Stagnant
for four Or five months, and the little ram
that falls washes dust from the roof. and
increases the impurity. If the water is
held mp to the light it will be seen to be
cloudy, and it does not become bright if
left to settle. This contains millions of
bacteria, which are certainly injurious, if
not the cause OF specific disease.
The, Lamaha canal brings water from
grassy SwampS. which is nothing else but
an infusion OF dried grass and leaves. AS
delivered III Georgetown, or if taken from
the canal itself, it does not contain bac.
terra. 1t certainly did contain these or.
ganiSmS, as they are developed in all in
tlSlOnS IN certain stages. What has be.
come of them? To test this question. I
made an Infusion of hay, leaving it in a
window open to the air. In three DAYS it
became thick and Smelt unpleasant. On px.
animation | found bacteria and animalculeS.
On rlacihg the infusion in the sun, in a
few days it became bright and clear. with
a great number of the Larvae of moSqui.
toes, flies, aud gnatS, wrigeling about. 1t
was IA perfect imitation of the Lamaha
water; pale colOurel, and free from bac-
terra.
The only explanation possible is that the
bacteria were eaten by the Larvae, and
here we have Il light thrown on the ques.
tiOn:m What is the use of mosquitoes 1t
is a well known fact that these insects
abound in. the collecting grounds of the
various fresh water canals, and I am of
opinion that they do Il grand work in rem
dering the water wholesome.
The larvn of the larger flies, which
abound in ceSSpoolS, also have a considera-
BILE effect in reducing the unpleasant
smells arising from the accomplishing or
ganic matter. II is doubtful if in many
cases it would not be better to leave this
work to the insects, instead of killing them
with diSinfectants.
J. r.
DEHERARA NEWS.
/Fr0m the Deyner0rH Ar00eu