The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-23
MOSQUITOES AND FLIES.


 Health authorities all over the country are paying a great deal of attention to the extermination of mosquitoes and flies, because they are carriers of infec- tion. In some places owners of real estate are becoming deeply interested In is on Long Island by Mir. w. c. Whit ney. A New York special says: William c. whitney's war on mosqui- toes in the vicinity of his Sheephead Bay home has resulted to his satisfaction, and he Is now proposing to cafry the nght into a broader area, and he hopes to enlist the active cooperation of the federal and municipal authorities by giving a prac- tical demonstration of his achievement. Friday afternoon special engineering plan will be laid before a party nf govern- ment. and city officials and others at luncheon to be given by MT. Whitney at the Sheepshead Bay Club. The breeding places of the mosquitoes in the marshes around Sheepiead Bay and Coney Island may be treated as were those in the vicinity of Mir. Whitney's property, and much of the annoyance from the pests obviated this season.
 The same sort of fight is being made in many places on housefiies. A fecent issue of American Medicine has this state ment:
 The causes of the recent epidemic of typhoid in Chicago, as investigated by residents of Hull House, is grand piece of work and illustrates the practical CO., operation Of science and benevolence in way that des srves all praise. The pam phlct is filled with tables, diagrams. and reports, which show that the house-to- house investigation by Misses Gernon and Howe and by Doctor Alice hamilton, was thoroughgoing. This Is the kind of a union Of medicine and morals" which promises and prophesies great things for the future. The demonstration Is per feet that the distribution of the disease germs was largely through the agency l of flies. The wind could not have been the means of scattering the germ-laden | dust because of the constant rains before the time of the greatest viruience of the outbrea--. The actual catching Of the flies 'on the spot" and their bacteriologic | investigation brought out the proof with convincing clearness.
 Now these undertakings of scientists. doctors and citizens point a moral to all Southern communities especially. Our climate, with its varying periods of ex- treme moisture and heat, is particularly
 favorable to the multiplication of all in- sects. It is also well known that our sum-
 mers are accompanied by various sorts of levers. The bulk of sickness in this
 section is in the summ sr. It IS, therefore,
 incumbent upon our authorities to adopt all the measures of prevention that science and experience have demonstrated
 to be wise.
 Last Summer the County Board of io
 locality where the fever and mosquito
 evils were most conspicuous. This was most commendable. It is to be hoped that this season the work will be carried out on d larger scale, both by County and City.
 The mosquito evil is growing one. Each year mosquitoes are in parts of the city where they have not been trouble some before. We have no doubt that | the County and City health boards will gladly take hold of the work of 'extermi- nation, if they are provided with funds by the County and City authorities. Nor will it take a large sum, if the work is begun early. Prevention is easier than cure. It is simpler to kill the first thou-
 sand mosquitoes than the later millions
 By all means let the work be undertaken
 promptlys It will contribute vastly tc
 the health and comfort of everyb ,dy.
 The same work should apply to house.
 flies. The scientists have demonstrated
 that they breed mainly ahnut stables, and
 more rapidly around horse stables than
 those of COWS. Every person who keeps
 horse should be required to take sani.
 tary precautions. and all the large pu5li,
 stables should be carefully loo"ed aner.
 Will not the County and City health
 boards take these matters in hand al
 once, and will not the Board of Rev1nae
 and the City Council furnish the funds necessary?