New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-17
MICROBES AS RAT TRAPS.
Germs Pitted Against the Vermin and Score
a Triumphant Victory.

In certain portions of the agricultural districts OF
France the depredations of rats and mice have
been extensive that the losses arising therefrom
have been little less than plague. The attention
OF the officials in charge of the Pasteur Institute
called to the matter and they induced to
attack the problem. which they did with such
eminent success that medal in recognition Of
their services has been awarded the institute by
the government through the Minister Of Agri-
culture. This recognition took the form OF the
award Of much priced decoration 10 the manager
OF the institute and another his assistant.
These rodents swarmed the fields and invaded the
houses OF the farmers. In many smaller
specimens Of the domestic animals attacked
and killed and partially devoured by the over
wheming hordes. 1t a common experience for
farmer TO find entire field OF truck ruined by
the animals which sometimes the roots of the
plant and at other times selected the stalk
The problem which confronted the experts of the
Pasteur Institute to devise method of
killing the rats without injurng the other domestic
animals which might be found around the farm.
They have certainly succeeded in finding the means
Of wipng out the rodents. but there is some doubt
yet whether the poison will not have some serious
effect on other animals which might devour the
soup
Having made up his deadly dose OF microbes,
DR.. Roux prepared for battle royal with the rats.
The ground selected for this mortal combat covered
space OF 1855 acres, and extended the COM
munes OF Aigre, Oradour and Mons Here various
KINDS OF cereals, vines and trees abound, here
also the sowing of various kinds of grain last
autumn had been completely destroyed by these
rodents This meant also the destruction of fodder
for cattle-such as lucern-hence butter and milk
production was seriously affected. The ground
throughout the district was literally perforated
with holes, which seemed to be connected under
ground with little passages. Such was the condition
Of the scene OF operation OF DR. Roux which GER
tainy seemed TO offer severe test for the efficacy
Of his discovery.
DR.. Roux succeeded in interesting the farmers of
the district In these very important experiments.
corps of assistants the spot. These assistants
under the direction Of DR.. Roux dipped quantities
OF wheat, oats and pieces of bread into the bouon
and which consequently became Immediately i'm,
pregnated with the microbes which the bouon.
Then the poisoned wheat etc. placed in and
about a the holes ,r where the rats and mice were
paste" distributed amounted in ali TO AZ metric
quantity of bouillon soup used was IlsO bottles
The total area Of these experiments above indi-
To determine the effect of this poisoned paste on
these destructive little animals Dr. Roux had the
IN order 10 see the condition of the rodents after
the number of rats and mice that ha9
the poison. TIE results obtained surpassed an
Rats and mice We're DEAD in 6hG a nRe
quantities and became quite as much of a pest
when dead and putrefying when they had been
alive. but happily in another of the word Dr.
9un s estaies that ne DESTROYED no less than So
many many as fifteen to twenty rats were sometimes
Not satisfied with this ocular demonstration ~
the success OF his paste. DR.. Roux proceeded to a
held or an area of about two and one-half acres
and surrounded by vines. Here he had a number
OF rat holes counted. this number being fxed az
l24si. which were carefully closed Two DAYS later
the holes were again visited. and IT found thai
l5Vi hac been reopened by the rats. The poisone6
days afterward the field again visited and The
holes which had been opened counted. the Drocess
being again repeated two days later The holes
that had been opened by the We're found To he
| thirty-seyen. 'N ~ DC
Inc Minister OF Agriculture, on being satisfied
acting on the advice OF the eminent scienfist ny
poses TO Introduce into the Chamber of Deputies a
bill Tor the purpose OF compeliiar farmers I'm 20,
infested districts 10 cooperate Ia using the shaSs
described -lPhiladelphilj Re .ord.