The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-11-07
THE BUSY MOSQUITO.
A Whole Book Has at Last Been
Dedicated to the Pest.
Besides Being an AScraVation to the Best
Saturcd Person the Insect Carries
Disease Germs from One of Its
Victims to the Other.

Messrs. Appleton are printing a book
on the mosquito, says the Boston Globe.
a great many people, already aware
from personal experience that mOSqui-
toes are undesirable associates, viii be
surprised TO find out what Il really seri-
Gus enemy Of the human race the in
sect is and always has been-thc insect
is found as 4 fossil among the gcologi-
cal remains OF former ages, apparent
ly never, at any period, having been
extinct, and always having been indus
trious.
There seems TO be no doubt that the
mosquito is capable Of communicating
poison. The fact that if it is allowed TO
remain long enough 70 draw out suf-
ficicnt quantity Of blood but little irri-
tation remains seems 10 prove this,
but it IS also said that it is capable OF
inoculating mankind with malarial dis
ease.
DIR. Finlay, Of Havana, asserts that IL
is his belief that the mosquito is an agent
in spreading yellow fever. He says
that the insect, after puncturing the
skin Of the yellow fever patient, retains
some Of the germs Of the disease, and
that he communicates these 70 the next
person he visits. So sure is he that the
mosquito is the active If not the only
agent for the dissemination OF yellow
fever, that he holds that the disease
can not exist where the mosquito does
not flourish.
The book will servo one good purpose
at least. 1t Will do Justice TO that
much-maligned insect variously known
in different parts of the country as the
dragon-fly, mosquito-hawk, devils darn
ing needle and snakc-fccdcr. II win
place him in better light, for, instead
Of deserving the obloquy which has
universally bcen cast upon him he ap-
pears to be entitled to much considera-
tion, as the insect relied upon 10 destroy
the mosquito.
Captain c. \. Il. Maczulay OF the
United States army has given his cx-
perience. In the summer OF 1855 he
was on duty at Fort Abraham Lincoln
in Dakota. To show the thickness Of
the mosquitoes at that time in the
neigh borhood Of Fort Abraham Lincoln
he says: "On the target range, during
the end OF June and about three weeks
in July, / could not stay unless 1 had
| on heavy boots-sUcl as are used out
there for riding-thick trousers, leather
gauntlets and thick cache nez' tucked
under my helmet and collar OF my
tunic"
The air was filed with clouds Of these
| tormentors, yet IT the appearance Of
| two or three dragon flies the mosquitoes
would suddenly disappear. He was
| curious TO see how they caught their
food. He noticed that they flew in an
irregular kind OF skirmish line, moved
slowly, and every now and then made
"dabs" AZ apparently nothing. Each
one OF these ''dabs' meant mosquito.
Another authority, who seems to hold
that 1t would be questionable policy 70
attempt 10 destroy the mosquito, it be
| ing in his opinion q scavengcr, says
| that other enemies may be relied upon
10 do that work. He suggests that to
Danish the mosquito the best plan IS 70
| drain meadows, bogs and swamps, 70
| fill up stagnant pools and level rain
holding hollows contiguous 70 dwell
ings.
Certain artificial remedies are also re
| lied upon. The use Of coal oil in swanps,
by odorizing the air and floating upon
the surface OF the water itself, is a very
| practical and energetic remedy. II de-
stroys the mosquito in its early stages.
the use Of lanterns, 50 arranged a. 70
| attract and destroy tho mosquitoes, Is
another remedy. The mosquitoes are
attracted TO them, and arc destroyed in
the cans OF coal oil or kerosene or other
| similar mixtures which may be used.
| They should be placed around houses,
| hotels and in marshes. The expense
and trouble of management are small, as
they are only used during few months
\ OF the year. Indeed, almost every
| method imaginable OF catching and de-
stroying the insect has been suggested
except the very simple one Of putting
salt on its tail and clubbing it to death.
These scientific authorities are not
above offering suggestions for the relief
! Of persons whose situation makes them
| liable 70 suffer from the bites Of these
| insect tormentors, and who can not wait
( for the propagation OF the dragon fly.
| They recommend lemon juice, vinegar,
| oil Of peppermint and oil Of pcnnyroyal.
| a very strong infusion Of roots Of triti-
| cum repcns Is successfully used at Sim
| brisk as a preventive against posqui-
toes, and q weak solution OF quassia wood
| boiled in water, has also been recon-
! mcnded. - : ,-.--.n.