The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-08-11


remains on the surface.
This is the method adopted to extermi-
nate the mosquito. Naturally there is
some increduility as
HOW TO KILL to the theory that
THE mosquitoes carry
LITTLE PESTS. disease, but we all
know that there is no
greater nuisance, and that many persons
suffer severely from mosquito bites The
determination of these insects would,
therefore, be justified on the ground of
comfort alone; but there is plenty of evil
dence now to show that the MOSQUITO is
carrier OF disease. One species of the
anopheles is the carrier of malaria while
certain species of the culex disseminates
yellow fever. Experiments made in the
Roman Campagna, one of the most mala-
rial territories in the world, have demon
strated in way that must be considered
conclusive the fact that the anopheles
carries malaria, and that if one can pro-
tect himself against this insect. he will
be reasonably immune to malaria Similar
experiments have been made in Cuba with
the culeX, and the investigators announce
their firm conviction that this MOSQUITO
carries yellow fever. War on the mos
quito has accordingly been declared in
some parts of Cuba, with the result that
yellow fever has been almost eliminated
in the places treated.
In Memphis they call the singing and
singing pest the Mosquito Devil and the
newspapers there are
MOSQUITO urging the city gov
DEVIL eminent, through its
IN MEMPHIS. board of health, to
undertake their eX-
termination. They admit that Memphis
is great malaria centre-that, in fact,
malaria is its long suit-and they charge
the disease up to the mosquito The Com
mercial Appeal calls upon all good and
patriotic citizens to enlist for the war,
and adds:
ct ought to be the ambition of the peo-
pie of Memphis to make this city one of
the most pleasant places to live in to be
found in the United States. Therefore,
| it seems to US the lines of battle against
the moe""ito should be drawn this sum-
mer for the real campaign to begin next
! spring. There need be no hesitation on
| the ground of cost. An Italian expert
| menter, Dr. C. Fermi, estimated that a
| town of 80 600 inhabitants could be freed
to $780, OF course the expense would be
| greater over here, but few thousands
| of dollars expended during two or three
| years would doubtless utterly exterminate
the mosquitoes here. In some places COM
mttees of women have taken the mat
| ter up and secured good results
Though New Orleans is preparing for
| war and Memphis is talking about it, so
far as this writer has
| WHERE THE WAR been able to ascer-
WAS tain, Winchester,
| INAUGURATED Va, is the first
Southern city to act
ually undertake the determination of the
mosquito. A few years ago the mayor
| of that town decided to make the expert
/ ment of DISCRIMINATING the mosquitoes. His
| proposition was at the time greeted by
the papers and the community generally
with much merriment, and he was sharply
ridiculed by the press at home and
| abroad. He induced the council. however,
to pass the following ordinance:
| l. Be it ordained that on or before
March 25 1900, and at least once each
month thereafter until November L. 1900,
each owner or occupant of a house or lot
| in the city shall put into every pool or
sink which is open or from which there
| is any opening of outlet, kerosene oil at
| the rate of one ounce for fifteen square
| feet of surface of said pool or sink, and
| that quantity for any surface less than
| fifteen square feet.
| >. And be it further ordained. that one
| half once of Kerosene oil shall during the
! same time be put in every open barrel or
| hogshead kept for the purpose of collect
| ing rain water; and water shall be taken
| from such barrel or hogshead by spigot
! of wood or metal placed as near as con-
| venient - bottom of said barrel or
hogshead.
| g. 1t shall be the duty of the police, by
| proper inspection, to see to the infOrce-
/ ment of this ordinance and to supply to
persons unable to procure them the ne
| cessary oil and spigots.
| The mayor issued circular embodying
| this ordinance and inviting the coopera
! ton of all good citizens The ordinance
was not compulsory, but met with very
! cordial observance. Another ordinance
| was passed later on providing a penalty
| for disobedience, and the campaign
| against the mosquito has been going on
this summer in Winchester with crafty
| ing results.
The world may owe every man a liv-
ing, but it takes hustler to collect it.