The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-27
Physicians Fasten on IL RESPONSE
biIity for Fevers that Rage in Diff
ferent Parts of the World.
HOW IT MAY BE DESTROYED
PEOPLE SHOULD REMOVE PUDDLEs
AROUND HOMES AT THIS SEASON.
On Large Bodies OF MotionIes. Water
a Small Quantity of Kerosene
VIII DO the Work.


upon as only an annoyance 20 try the pa
thence of humanity and break its peaceful
slumber on a summers night. has become
the subject OF serious thought OF physi-
clans and those interested in the study OF
insects. 1t is now universally believed, not
only by the medical profession of this coun-
try, but by the doctors OF foreign lands as
well, that the mosquito is the medium that
spreads malaria and yellow fever through
out this country and Cuba during the sum-
mer months, and also the terrible Roman
fever. which proves so fatal to the inhabi-
tants of Rome. It is thought. too. that the
mosquito is responsible for many other
diseases prevalent in the United States dur
ing the heated season, because each year
some new discovery is brought forth by
those who are investigating the subject.
which apparently proves that some dis
ease. previously attributed TO other causes.
is carried by this seemingly harmless
insect
The medical journals. at the present time.
have column after column devoted TO this
subject. and physicians generally are
greatly interested in everything pertaining
to it, because it is opening up entirely
new field of work TO them. l.. o. Howard,
of the Department Agriculture at WASH
ington, has written "a very interesting book
called Mosquito In this work he de-
scribes the different species, their manner
Of living, where they live and the duration
of their lives. In many places in this coun-
try people who are interested in the mos
quito are making collections OF them just
they do of butterflies. In Mr.. Towards
book he also gives some facts which would
be beneficial TO those making collections.
In many of the States preparations are
being made for a crusade against the mos
quito this summer, and no doubt the fight
against him will be kept up until in a few
years he Will be exterminated In New
Jersey. which has become famous on ac-
count of its mosquitoes, $4,000 has been
appropriated for the driving out OF these
insects. and il is little doubted that a much
larger sum Will be necessary before thus
huge task is ACCOMPLISHED.
While Indianapolis has its share OF mos
quitOes il is rather fortunate in the fact
that there is only one kind prevalent here
that carries the germs OF disease about
with il. 1t would be we'll for every one to
avoid being bitten by these insects IL pos
sible and wherever any one has stagnant
pool of water on his land or near his house
he would do well to have il drained, for il
is in swamps and motionless bodies OF
water the mosquito makes his home and
thrives.
DIR. +. w. Foxworthy, OF this city, who
was for three years a surgeon i'm the United
States army, and during that time was sta
toned in Cuba and on the Island of Luz
zon, in the Philippines, and who has trav-
eled extensively through the Orient and
tropical countries. has made a special study
Of mosquitoes, and on being questioned
about them said:
In a few weeks, especially after the
spring rains are over. the mosquito family
in Indianapolis will begin TO rear its chill
dren in every little stagnant pool of water,
mudpuddle old cistern. or the old fas Toned
rain barrel with its wooden cover. All OF
these places will aid the mosquito in the
rearing of his family. and these with many
other such locations. will provide each with
a home. The mosquito, however. loves the
dark. stagnant pool of water best of all,
for here he can feed upon the decaying
vegetation and green scum. which are seen
on the surface Of these motionless ponds.
While the older mosquitoes are living on
this the younger ones are thriving on the
vegetable decomposition at the bottom of
the pool.
HOW TO GET RID OF THEM.
"In the lower portions of this city. around
White river, Fall creek and especially
about the canal the mosquitoes will -four
ish at their best unless active means are
taken to prevent their increase IL this is
not done much unnecessary trouble and an
noyance will occur not only 10 people who
aro 10 h,.s
larial fever will result from them 1t is so
easy and simple a thing to get rid of the
mosquito by following the old adage that
an ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure The first thing that should be
done is to drain all ponds and stagnant
bodies of water, and thus prevent the NOS
quitoes breeding. In Italy a man is heavily
fined for having a stagnant pool on any
part of his land. Then, If il is impracticable
to drain the standing bodies OF water. the
next best thing is to kill the mosquitoes
that may come TO them by the application
of kerosene or crude petroleum. One ounce
of this poured upon a body OF water -
ample 10 cover twelve or fifteen square
feet OF its surface, because oil spreads rap
idly on water. The reason that this is poi
sonous TO mosquitoes is that when the
young have been Matched in the water aud
come TO the surface. they must do every
few minutes 10 breathe. their long air
tubes become choked with OIL and they die
of suffocation. This application OF kero-
sene should be repeated every two weeks
during the summer months.
Wherever people have mosquitoes about
their place they should not hesitate 10 ex-
terminate them at once. because each year
it is being found that some disease which
has heretofore been supposed TO come from
other causes can now be attributed 20 the
mosquito. The diseases which these insects
carry are mostly fevers and other illnesses
which depend upon germs for their cause.
1t can safely be said that every case OF ma
larial fever which is so prevalent I'M this
city during the summer. has a mosquito at
the bottom OF IL. Now. by this I don't
mean that person has to be bitten by .
mosquito 20 contract this disease, for one
may drink water which contains wiggles-
and these are nothing more than the mos
quito in the transition stage-or he may IN
hale dust in which the mosquito has laid