Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-10-17
mosQ Gro pnsrnucr1oN.
Tho Pest to he Eliminated by the Use ,
Crude Petroleum.


Crude Petroleum.
Duggits Circular
During tine past month an experiment
was made on Staten Island In mesquite
destruction which has proved encourag-
ing to those who hope for the ultimate
elimination of this pest. Dir. A. II.
Doty, the health officer of this port,
decided to determine the effect OF Pc
troleum 10 section known to be ma
larious," In which mosquitoes were
found In abundance, the phoioe being
made from the presence ofHboth oondi-
tions. The section, consisting OF basin
or low lands, and less than a square
mile in extent, contained not more
than 100 small wooden houses, some
distance apart. Within its boundaries
we're no less than 25 stagnant pools
varying In size from t1ve feet in diane
ter to an acre or more ID area. A
house.to. house inspection showed that
at least 80 Fer cent OF the inhabitants
of this section we're suffering with the
acute or chronic form Of malaria. In
almost every house or yard we're found
Typical breeding places for mosquitoes,
either in the shape Of used or unused
rain barrels, cisterns, cesspools, or
abandoned receptaoles thrown about
the premises, Samples Of water from
these rs well as all stagnant pools were
examined, and the Larvae found. In
some instances, particularly in recepta-
Giles about the house, the water was
full OF them.
Experiments In the laboratory with
various agents believed to be destruc-
tive Of the laryte, most OF which would
be inadmissable for use In ponds, &C.,
On account of their highly poisonous
nature, showed that crude petroleum
was markedly superior in its effects.
This agent was accordingly chosen
for work in the field, the kind known
as Lima oil being taken. This is an
oil containing minimum amoupt of
the substances which may be groupt d
under the name Of bennn and the risk
of accident from fire was thus mini
mized. 5a
A tank containing more than 100
barrels of the oil was donated by the
Standard Oil Co. for the experiment.
This was brought by rail to point
about quarter of nils frota the
field OF operations, and there rorta-
tle tank OF 10 barrel capacity was
filed from it. Attached to the smaller
tank was compressed air cylinder
filed to pressure Of 1900 pounds to
the square inch, with an I'D ustment
which permitted of exercising uni
form pressure OF 20 pounds to the
square inch on the oil tank. To the oil
tanks faucet was attached strong
hose 200 feet long. al accessory to the
tank was float with an arrangement
OF perforated tubing to permit of the
forcing of the oil five feet below the
surface OF any pond by connecting the
hose spoken oil with the tank. This
device was to insure thorough impreg-
nation Of the pond water with the oil
and the covering with 1t OF water plants
under the surface Of the water.
With this continuance the oil was APP
piled to the various ponds and bitches,
watering pots being used as aids in
the distribution; and tall herbage
which served as a refuge for the mos
quitos themselves was mown down.
The. result OF this work was very
perceptible falling oil in the number of
mosquitoes In the district; and had IL
not been for the existence OF many
breeding places In the near vicinity
there can be little doubt that the
diminution would have heel still more
marked. The important feature OF this
work was further confirmation of the
efficacy of petroleum as destroyer of
the larvn.
Dr.. Deity 10 giving to the press a
statement of the work and the results
observed, points out that the RESPONSE
bility Of carrying out this important
undertaking rests with the civil au.
thorities. Municipal sanitary codes, -
he says, should iaolude strict regu-
lation not only against the existence
OF stagnant pools, but all forms Of
breeding places, and should empower
sanitary officers 20 imply such means as
are necessary to protect the public
against these insecta, and, when re.
CURED, the application Of oil should be
made under their direction. In order
to make this work uniform and eifec.
tive, the cooperation OF the State and
Federal authorities is absolutely neces.
sary. Such action would be followed
by the most gratifying results, and
would go far toward freeing US from a
disease which has entered many house.
holds -