The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-06-28
MODERN SCIENCE DEGREES
THE MOSQUITOES MUST GO


1918, but who has only lately been pill
loried as the cause-perhaps the only
cause, of the diffusion OF malaria In
the United States there are but three
species, A maculipennis, A punctf-
pennis, both found in all parts OF the
country, and a. crucians. a southern
variety. The yellow fever MOSQUITO
was formerly supposed to be species
of Culex, but now scientists incline to
put 1t in third genus, Stegomyia, the
common kind being Stegomyia fusciata-
Now there can be no question that
mosquitoes look much alike, but with
little practice even the amateur can dis
tinguish the pungent but insignificant
Culex from his quieter but more harm
full cousin. They can be studied to adj
vantage resting on a wall. If the body
is hunch-back, the body making a sharp
angle in the middle. it is Culex, and
little ammonia viii heal his bite But
if he carries his body straight il is
Anopheles-sQuash him and order Gui-
nine. The musical ear may also dis
tinguish the two by the pitch of their
siren songs. The note of -Culex as it
approaches the ear is high: that OF
Anopheles is several tones lower and
not so clear in character In quality II
Is something between the huzzing of a
housef1y and the clear trumpet call Of
Culex. So by taking a tuning fork 70
bed one may gauge the quality Of MS
midnight marauders. Anopheles it may
be observed, is much more insidious
and subtle beast. He does not harass
his victim like the pungent Culex and
stings so gently as not TO waken q.
sound sleeper. In the daytime, toe IL
is g cunning wretch. and hides with
great skill. Culex is noiser, but not so
accomplished villain. The expert
ments by which the responsibility of
the mosquito for malaria and yellow
fever have been demonstrated are too
long to describe here, but Mr.. Howard
gives a full account Of the work done
on the Roman carnpagna and in Cuba.
The case Of yellow fever may be said
to be still sub JUDGE. while the case of
malaria has been pretty generally ad-
mitted to be proved. The immunity Sc
cured by people living In the worst part
Of the campagna IN mosquito proof
houses was supplemented by injecting
an Englishnan in England with ma
laria from the bite OF mosquito cent
from the campagna. In Cuba the ex-
perimenters slept on the soiied linen OF
yellow fever patients. and came 70 no
harm so long as mosquitoes were kept
out But. Of seven persons who were
allowed To be bitten by previously con-
taminated mosquitoes six came down
with yellow fever. The case certainly
seems strong, and further experiment
should put It beyond doubt.
SO much for the dangers to which the
mosquito exposes the human race; now
for the remedy. Everyone knows that
mosquitoes abound most In regions
where there are many pools OF stag
nant water, and 1t has often been noted
that as such regions have been built Up
and the water drained off the plague
has disappeared. Malaria is apt to dis
appear at the same time but the true
relation Of the two facts has not been
understood till lately To certain ex-
tent, then. prosperous regions which are
drained and built up are working out
their own case. But IL is clearly impos-
sible in all parts of the country to get
nd of standing water, and scientists
have been diligently seeking for other
means of destroying the larvae of the
mosquitoe: where 1t is possible to spread
film Of Kerosene moderately cheap
crude. heavy oil is preferable-over the
surface of the ponds. pools cisterns
reservoirs. water tanks, etc, the crop of
mosquitoes is quickly destroyed When
this cannot be done the next best
thing is TO stock the water as fully IS
possible with fish. For this purpose
cheap. prolific. hardy and carnivorous
fish that feed on the surface should be
chosen. Best Of ali is the common sun
Ash, or pumpkin seed" and the com
NOR ntnnow lgauhusia afTinis) and
the stickleback are also good
The cost Of carrying a fight asains,
mosquitoes Is not so great as might BE-
supposed An Italian authority gives
the cost Of freeing a town Of 30, 600 in
habitants from mosquitoes at from 500
10 $500. But an Italian town OF that
population would not be spread out like
an American city Of the same size, nor
be so Astounding In standing water as
New England town. Where there are
large marsh areas the cost would be
very great, and perhaps little can be
done until in the course OF time pro-
vision is made for improving the marsh
land. Where the plague cannot be ex-
terminated the wise course Is to make
the houses as thoroughly mosquito
proof as possible, and to remain indoors
IN the evening. further question
arises as to the peTmanence of loca
work If the mosquitoes in a neighbor-
hood are disposed Of. viii not a fresh
crop come UP with the next wind? Mr.
Towards studies incline him to the be-
lief that mosquitoes do not travel far
When the wind blows they seek shell
ter in low shrubbery TO avoid being
swept away This is the reason why
when the wind blows the seaside re-
sorts are exempt from the plague. but
this is not because Gas has often beer
supposedly the insects are carried in
land. They are IN hiding in the shrub
berry, and are ready to do business az
soon as the wind goes down. A mors
dangerous vehicle for the transporta
ton of mosquitoes is the railroad, an6
the danger has increased with tbs
greater use OF through cars which
carry mosquitoes from the seashort
straight through to remote resort:
which had been exempt. But this II
one Of the minor costs of civilization
which. on the whole, is tending L
destroy the mosquito along with it,
hiding places. 1t is more likely tina
)