New-York tribune., 1906-04-17
KILLING MOSQUITOES INDOORS.

Surgeon Berry. in charge of the Tampa Bay
quarantine station, has been experimenting
with what was to him q new agent for kllilng
mosquitoes. He gives an account of his tests
in a recent number of The Public Health Re
ports" which are issued by the United States
Marine Hospital Service. He used mixture
of gum camphor and carbolic acid, in accord
ance with a formula proposed by j. Z. Minis.
leading chemist of New Orleans. The prepara-
ton proves to be identical with one on which
a favorable report was made by committee
of medical experts at the last annual meeting
of the American Association for the Advance
ment of Science which, by the way was held
in the Crescent City.
1t is alleged that the new 'culicide" is pref
cradle TO sulphur for fumigation, because the
vapor from it does not discolor or bleach tex
tile fabrics and the removal of clothing and
other articles TO avoid injury is not necessary.
The camphor and CaTbolic acid appear to act
more rapidly than pyrethrum powder. Besides,
the last named drug is said to be extensively
adulterated at times, and hence the action of
its fumes is uncertain. From the recommends
tons which the New Orleans compound has re-
ceved, it certainly seems to deserve a careful
trial where circumstances are favorable to it's
use.
One limitation on its value is that it is
only adapted TO service indoors Another is
that special apparatus and a little experience
seem to be requisite to successful results To
induce the ingredients to combine and to leave
them in liquid form a gentle heat must be
applied When the attempt is made to vapor-
iZe the mixture pains must be taken to prevent
the fumes from ignitng. They are highly in
fiamInable, though not explosive, and the smoke
generated by burning has no effect on the mos
quitOes Mr.. Minis recommends resort to O
formaldehyde generator, but Dr. Berry de-
scribes a combination of alcohol lamp evapO-
rating pan and section of stOveppe, which he
found equally efficient. From these details il
Will be understood that noviceS are likely to
make mistakes the first time they experiment
with the compound, but after some practice
they may be able to get better results OBJ
viously it is better suited to hospitals than
private homes but if an expert could be in
duced to conduct the operation it ought TO work
as well in the household as does fumigation for
vermn
Special interest will be felt in Mr. Nims,s
"culicide" at the present time because the sea.
son when hibernatng mosquitoes revive has
arrived. A few of these insects find shelter in
the interior of dwellings. Whether they are
infected with disease germs or not their ex-
termination is particularly important at tbis
time OF year, for they multiply at an almost
lnconcelvabie rate. y stitch in time saves nine
says the proverb, and sometimes will save
twenty To Kill Il single mosquito in April or
May may avert the Matching of millions before
october By far the most effective camnaiqn is
that which is waged out of doors nv meth
ods identical with or akin to those ennIovad h,,
DIR. Doty on Staten Island. But it is a crave
mistake entirely TO ignore the need of fighting
| the pest indoors as we'll