New-York tribune., 1903-04-14
THE AyTI-uOsoUITO CAMPAIGN.

Alive to the fact that mosquitoes will begin
their mischievous work within the next Few
weeks, 1.-The New-York Medical Journal makes
a suggestion of much value. Entomologists
agree in saying that the best way to get rid OF
these insects is to prevent their breeding. Ii
the collections of water in which their eggs are
laid can be entirely dispensed with by any one
of several methods, that is unquestlonably tne
best policy. If abolition is out of the question,
other measures must be adopted. Our contem-
porary has in view the latter state of things
In the city of New-York, according to the Com
missioner Of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity,
there are about fifty thousand tanks on roofs
or upper floors. DR.. George A. Soper is author
ity for the statement that mosquitoes are often
seen rising outside of a house, hunting for an
open window, to a height of over one hundred
feet 1.-THE Medical Journal" is satisfied, there
FORE that unless steps are taken to protect
these tanks they will be extensively utilized. 1t
therefore advises screening them, whether IN
doors or on the roof with fine netting, prefer
ably of wire. There can be no doubt that II
such action be taken promptly and extensively
by householders the metropolis will enjoy de-
gree of exemption which it has not known for
many years.
In rural and suburban districts-where, after
all, the principal campaign must be carried on
the other plan is not only feasible, but much to
be preferred Broken crockery and flower pots
and discarded vegetable and fruit cans in
back yard will often hold enough rainwater 10
attract an egg laying mosquito All OF these
objects which can be found should be scrupu-
lousy removed Again, small pools on private
premises or by the roadside, which afford SINH
lar facilities, should be filled with dirt. The
treatment of marshes is broader problem, but
not an insoluble one. With them drainage must
be resorted to, and drainage calls for co-opera-
ton. For that matter, so do other methods OF
ca campafgning. Fighting mosquitoes is like
shovelling snow. If Jones clears his sidewalk
never so thoroughly, and Smith is negligent, the
public loses the benefit of the formers diligence
and Jones is tempted to regret his own zeal.
If one man cleans up his yard and denies the
mosquito a breeding place, and his neighbor
does not virtue is not adequately rewarded. 1t
must be remembered, though, that co-opera ton
need not be confined to personal labor. per-
son may contribute small sum Of money or
lend encouragement to the good cause in some
other fashion when once the movement In a
community is initiated.
In the main, this warfare should be local IN
origin and organization. To limited extent
help can and may properly be offered by the
State and national authorities. Still, the peo-
nile of q town or village should recognize the
fact that IT Is their own health, their own COM
fort. the ractivenesS Of their own places or
residence and the price of their own real estate
which are involved OF course, If they once rid
the place Of the pest and there is fresh inVa-
sion from distance. the experience would be
disheartening Recent observation, however,
indicates that mosquitoes rarely fly far from
their birthplace. This discovery is encouraging
In the extreme 1t would not be safe to assume
that the nuisance In question can be suppressed
once for ALL Vigilance Will always be neces-
sary to prevent a recurrence Of trouble. What
vigorous concerted action In place will secure
is such diminution in the number of the mos
ouitoes there as to approach practical extermi-
nation This certainly is worth working for.
In time cooperation between communities Is
sure to come; but it is already clear that
single one may undertake the work with dis
tinct advantage TO itself.
The first step should be to find out what mas
been done elsewhere. DR.. l.. o. Howards s
book on mosquitoes, accounts of the crusade
conducted along the north shore of Long ISL
and and Major Ronald Ross's practical advice
concerning the formation of mosquito bri-
gades" should be carefully considered Discus
sion and agitation should follow. Sometimes