Evening journal., 1901-05-18
SCIENCE AND MOSQUITOES

from the ravages of mosquitoes No
section OF THE State is exempt from the
annoying visitations of the little pests,
which at times render life scarcely
worth living To a people so afflicted.
any scientific movement having for its
object the determination of the trou-
blesOme insects is OF general interest
Adyices from South Orange N. j., are
30 the effect That the people there have
decided to act upon the suggestions Of
Dr. L. o. Howard, chief entomologist
Of the Department Of Agriculture, for
the determination of the pests. In an
address ON the mosquito he told them
that. the "culex" was a comparatively
innocent creature, while the "ano-
pheles" was the one which carried the
seeds OF malaria. 1t had been clearly
demonstrated beyond cavil, he said.
that these mosquitoes carried malaria
and that malaria came from other
sources, and that there We're mos
quitoes which carried yellow fever and
smallpox as well as elerhantiasis The
larvae OF the various diseases made
their appearance in the red blood cor
puscles Of the mosquito, and in the
stomachs OF the mosquitoes had their
sexual developmert. They then work
ed into the body cavities Of the mos
quioes. thence into the beaks and
were subsequently injected into the
human victim at the next bite. Dr.
Howard proved by citing many cases
that there was no difficulty in practi-
cally exterminating mosquitoes In
fact it had been successfully done in
many places.
The plan was threefold.
Frst-To drain all marshes and
stagnant water receptacles.
Second Where this was not practi
cable, to spray these bodies of water
with kerosene oil as often as once il
three weeks
Third.-iuo place sunflsh and stickle
backs in the waters which could no
be thus treated. as these fish con
sumed the larvae and wrigglers whicl
produced the mosquitoes in vast mum
bers.
DR.. Howard's demonstration was s.
convincing that a meeting Of the I'm
provement Society was held immedi
ately after the lecture, and il was re
solved to begin at once the work {
determination on the lines laid dowI
Many residents went forward an
Joined the society and subscribed lil
orally toward the cause.
"As a result of the enforcement
measures determined upon, we hope
attain the practical extinction of mo-
quitoes Communities that have bee
suffering from the mosquito scouri
win be able TO say they have no me
quitoes The health of the communi
will improve. Real estate values W
rise and ground in the vicinity OF Ne
York now practically worthless W
become splendid sites for homes"
said DR.. Howard. 1.-The measures I
the eradication Of mosquitoes are sil
pie. They breed in marshes whi
should be drained. if possible, and
not should be we'll kerosened.
larvae are destroyed by the use of I
oil
An association has been formed
the north shore of Long Island,
avowed purpose of which is to ext
inmate mosquitoes. the area cove
including Oyser Bay, Cold Spring
and other points. Centre Island.
site Of tho clubhouse Of the Seaw
haka Yacht Club, has been badly
tested by mosquitoes The club
decided 10 destroy the pest
Summit. n. j.. and Richmond I
l. T.. are taking considerable inte
In the matter. and also expect to
their share toward the extermina
Of the mosquito. The geologist Of
State CT New Jersey has made a
Of the HGckensack meadows, port
Of which are within the iurisdictio
Jersey City, Newark and Elizabetl
understand the cities are taking n
ures fer draining the swamp Ii