The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-08-19
THEORY
To Release Humanity
From
THE MOSQUITO PEST
6acterioiogists Disc over
Strange Antipathy OF insect
TO Certain Shades..
Shun Yellow.

Chicago, Aug. 10. - Scientists at the
University of Chicago have hit upon
a new discovery to release humanity
from the tortures OF the mosquito pest.
This is called the color theory" II
has already been demonstrated that
mosquitoes prefer some colors far
above others and that there are some
colors which they will avoid entirely.
President Harper's. laboratories are
now the scene of researches which
may work out great boon to hui
manity II the human race will be
careful about the color Of its clothes
and the color of the paint It puts on
its houses. The formula will be-
something like this:
In mosquito time wear garment
of such color that II will drive away
the insects. II you have summer
home in a mosquito-infected locality
paint 1t "anti-mosquito color" Avoid
wearing black or red, as these colors
are liked by the mosquito. Wear yell
low or light clothes, as these shades
suckers.
THE DISCOVERY.
DR.. Harpers scientists have become
noted for their original research
work and the discoveries they have
contributed to science. Bacteriolog-
ical work with regard to the mos.
quito has been carried on quietly in
the laboratories of the university for
some time under the supervision OF
Head Professor Edwin o. F.. Jordan
Of the department of bacteriology.
Professor Jordan was head of the
meteorological commission which ex-
amined the water in the drainage ca
nal for Chicago in the canal suit. DR..
Jordan is directing the work of the
mosquito laboratory" which Is being
done by Fellow Walter George Sack
ett, who is making a speciality Of the
study Of gnats. ~
Mr.. Sackett has nursery in his
laboratory where he grows various
kind of mosquitoes and studies their
characteristics. At the present time
he is studying the "culex" and the
"anopheles" the two geni that are
found about Chicago OF these two'
the culex is the more common. 19rh
CARRIERS OF DISEASE. -
| He is also studying the disease.
carrying mosquito. This belongs to
the anopheles genus and is the "an-
opheles maculipennis." This mosqui.
| to carries typhoid and other fever
germs and can be identified by the
four black spots that are found on Its
wings. The other species is "anophe-
les punctipennis," and 1t is on this
! species of the genus anopheles that
Mr.. Sackett is making his color tests.
He is studying both the adult and
the larvae punctipennis. ~. -
In the laboYtory the anopheles punc-
tipennis are Matched in great numbers
and put In cages In these cages are
little boxes covered with bunting Of
various colors. Twelve colors are be-
ing used at the university. Every day
at. Q certain hour the mosquitoes on
the various colors are counted and
the number on each color Is tabu-
lated.
This table Is kept continuously for
from fifteen days to one month and
deductions are then made. The gnats
preferences for black and red and
aversion to saffron hues.
TO BE PUBLISHED
When the mosquito color theory IL
worked out conclusiveIy and to the
absolute satisfaction of the scientists
their researches will be published for
the benefit of humanity and color rec
ipes will be laid down for the kind
OF paint to put on houses and the
proper "anti-mosquito color" for the
| dress.
1t has not yet been learned that all
the species would become savage and
carnivorous at the sight of red or
black rag and 1t may be that different
colors will have to be prescribed for
different species of the insect. Each
division Of the gnat family will have
Its characteristics catalogued and the
colors necessary to fight 1t laid down
when the scientists have learned tho
color likes and dislikes Of the species.
The university scientists declare that
the color preference of mosquitoes
Is already 30 much fact that there
Is no chance of doubling the practical
results to. come from 1t, and they have
great hopes for the future.
!.