The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-09-27
THE MOsOUITOCRUsADE
Results Of the First Years War
on the Pest.
CHANCES OF ExrERMINATIEG 1T,
Experiments I'm Communities which
Have Been Relieved of Malaria.
where the Insect ureeds-"MosQui-
20 Engineering" New Occupation.
Eject of Ratlrond Trains.

where the Insect Dreeds-"MosQui.
20 Engineering" New Occupation
Eject of Railroad Trains.
Few developments Of the last Il
months have been more notable thar
the systematic warfare against the
mosquito. with all that II promises fol
the comfort OF the future. writes the
New York Posts Washington CORE
spondent. The mosquito Is an annoy
ance OF the first rank. not so much In
some places as IN Others. but. taking
the country as a whole. a source OF
very considerable loss. II renders some
good sized districts not worth living in
and adds 10 the warm weather discom-
fort OF still larger areas.
i From the experiments OF Or. l.. o.
Howard. the entomologist Of the de-
partment Of agriculture, Of which the
data were widely diffused through the
official bulletins. IL became evident that
the mosquito was by no means neces-
sary evil. When its relation TO the
spread OF disease. particularly Of ma
laria, became established. a decided
impetus was given 10 the movement
for its determination. and that move
ment is now well under way. A brief
and informal review OF the first years
accomplishments may not be without
interest. The scientific stage In the
warfare against the mosquito has pass
ed. We are now in the more practical
.f rEaf hn q,
carry out the plans recommended by
the scientists. Unfortunately, perhaps
for the plans have undergone a Sc
yerer test on that account-thls has
been great mosquito year. The early
rains were 50 heavy and widespread as
10 leave pools OF water standing late In
the summer ia places which are ordl-
narily dry. and the mosquito crop
seems to depend upon available re-
sources in the way Of stagnant water.
The experiments in fighting malaria
have made the mosquito a subject for
the boards OF health. municipal and
state, which has given a great impulse
to the struggle against the pest. 1t is
estimated that 80 times as much work
has been done in the present summer
toward its determination as ever be-
\ fore. 1t has become almost fashion
In one town after another TO make war
upon the mosquito. and, taken as a
whole. the results have been most graf
flying. The failures have occurred In
places where Ii was not possible 10 Sc
cure sufficient unity of action to make
the work effective, and on the principle
that no chain is stronger than its weak
est link no locality Is better off than
It's worst quarters for breeding mosqui-
toes permit. The experiments at Tux
edo Park and at Winchester, Va. have
had good results and are too well
known to call for description here. One
malarial patient at Tuxedo had through
the medium OF mosquitoes infected a
whole community. Nearly 40 persons
were down with the disease at one
time, when New York physician saw
the kind Of mosquito which conveys
malaria perching on the walls OF his
patients room. He began a system OF
close screening. particularly to keep
those persons already infected away
from the insect carriers Of the disease.
Then he applied the kerosene treat
ment to the stagnant pools that could
not otherwise be controlled. meanwhile
dosing his patients with quInine, with
the result that not new case Of the
disease appeared. In little communi-
ty In Maryland which has been malaria
. Ira al
pendlture Of $40 made by one public
spirited citizen and all Of 1t applied to
draining and diking has made this sea.
son pass thus far without a single case
Eof the troublesome disease. Winchester
began last year with what might be
called voluntary measures on the part
Of the individual householders. This
year the preventive measures have
been made compulsory, with CORE
spondlngly improved effect.
The success OF w. J. Mattcson's work
Mt Lloyds neck, at the entrance to
oyster bay, was also farreachlng. In
his private grounds, which Are very
extensive. he succeeded in eliminating
the mosquito so completely that the
people living In Centre Island, directly
opposite. decided to see what they
could do. During the winter they had
a typographical survey made. showing
all the possible breeding places, and
followed this up by such drainage
measures as seemed feasible. Kcro-
scne was used wherever II was impos-
sihlc % drain except at great expense,
anil IN the artificial pools used for
watering stock. where the presence Of
oil would have been out Of the ques-
ltion. fish were introduced. The latest
reports Indicate that this work has
been very successful. 4 few mosqu-
toes are found. but the Indications are
that they are dcmcstically bred In the
chance accumulations OF water which
have been overlooked. This Is par
ticularly impoIt ant item. and In Wash
ington IL accounts for most Of the mos
luitoes that we have. Roof gut
tiers which have bccoEc accidentally
stopped. especially III 4 rainy season
like this. affor : COOL breeding ground.