New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-01
THE BORDEAUX MIXTURE.
DR.. Doty Tells of It's VaEae as a hos
quito Killer and Deodorant.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Those who have investigated the mosquito
with the Idea OF contributing something toward
the determination OF this insect fully agreed
that the scientific and radical method or ehecttng
this object IS by drainage and the enforcement
Of modern sanitary regulations. Il has been cos
clusvely shows that exposed stagnant ~ater, either
IN ground deprsssions rain water barrels or other
receptacIes, is absolutely essential to the propa
cation OF the mosquito. It is when drainage is i'm
practicable that the of agents which destroy
the larvR are particularly indicated
The free of petroleum oil has been universally
accepted rs the most valuable agent for this pur-
pose. This reputation is deserved and it is prob
able that nothing win be found to take its place
particularly in the trea t1ent Of swamps. where
there is dense foliage and where the Odor OF the
oil tends to drive away the mosquito However
those who have had practical experience in this
matter have learned to know that the mosquito
prcpaga tes actively in small pools rain water bar
rels. discarded milk pans, etc. which are found
In the immediate vicinity of dwelling houses. and
II is in these places that the free OF petroleum
although it Is effective in destroying the larve is
frequently less unpleasant and offensive
1t is with the intention of providing substitute
for the oil for use in certain places that have
for some time past been experimenting with the
Bordeaux mixture. a preparation which has long
been known 10 gardeners agricUturists, etc. and
used by them for various purposes.
The Bordeaux mixture contains sulDhate of cop
per. ordinary unslaked lime and Exhaustive
rests Nnlch nave been made on 4 large scale az
the New-Yori Quarantine Station and in the sur
rounding country have shown couclusivey that
this mixture is destructive 10 the mosquito larve
although II does not produce this result quite
rapidly rs the petroleum oil. Furthermore, the
ton OF Bordeaux mixture a deodorant, SO far as
the experiments have thus far shown is superior
o any agent which IS now used for this purpose.
Therefore the Bordeaux mixture not only de
stroys the lsrve but neutralizes whatever odor
may exist and also clarifies SO that an offensive
body Of water Is rendered clear and odorIess, The
use Of the Bordeaux mixture in underground els
terms which are rule offensive. as a result
Of the deposition Of organic matter, want of
;lau0n, etc, has been particularly satisfactory.
Meat and fish in advanced stage Of decompos!-
ton, offensive fluids of all kinds. have been treated
with this mixture. In all instances the odor has
been destroyed. The wonderful properties OF Bor-
deaux mixture m clarifying offensive fluids and in
some instances rendering them almost clear 5
spring water. is probably due to a mechanical and
chemical combination which II forms with the
gauc matter in the and which it precipitates
the bottom OF the pool receptacle For this
reason II is necessary after the introduction Of
the Bordeaux mixture into pools esterns, OF other
20 oI uA ~ 9gI az ~ ~ o1 go one nnnP9 of
plate Of copper and lime being separately and care
Of ths One p5rt To- So or G5 is used for destroying
mosquito larVse and for deodorizng fluids and de-
Bordeaux mixture as deodorant has probably
wider range or uSFtulneSS tGan as a lafF6 destroy
Strange lJ may seem. nave but very few
GcodGrauts which are OF practical value. Chlorlte
lime is largely used 10 deodoriZe vaults, etc It's
action IS not always satisfactory. and cannot De
depended upon. In late years solution or orOmlne
has been regarded the most valuable deodoranr
which possess for treating decOmposed organic
matter and other offensive masses: however. ii IS
exceedingly irritating 10 the respiratory tract and
can be used only with great care Although very
valuable its effect IS transient and frequent ap-
plirari01s are necessary.
Tte value Of me Bordeaux mixture as teodogant
will be more apparent IN small communities, where
no sewerage exists. and where there Is urgent neeu
OF an agent which can be used 10 deodoTlze ac-
cumulat.ons OF offensive material II Is saIe. ana
can te cheapIy and easily made Il can Be pre-
pared for about and half cents a gallon
In connection with This subject. II may be per-
tlreut 10 add that considerable misun derstandlls
exists 20 the term disiniectant and deCdorant'
which as rule. used anonymously A dlsin-
scctant IS an assent which destroys al germs with
which comes in contact. and II is for this reason
that disiufection is important IN preventing the
transmission OF infectious diseases \ deOdoraut
however. simply ueutra Ices offensive doors. out
doe, 11- ya-assarifv have germicicA power
have already referred 10 the BORDEAUX mixture
as a dcodorant. Or. Moore. OF the United states
Ilcra~trlc1t OK Agriculture az Washington has re-
rrtIy published result Of his INVESTIGATION re
Ea-alrg the geruaiciial power Of this mixture In
=, is .t4-i5r \ n DOTY,
Health Officer. Port Of Nsw-York-
rHHF..