New-York tribune., 1907-06-16
CALIFORNIA FLEAS.
Then Enter Into Al Domestic and
Social affairs.
BY Homer Fort.


Southern California the flea problem is one
that enters into domestic and social affairs. How
to mitigate this indigenous and perennial null
sance is a question that occupies the thoughts
of many and gives food for constant discussion.
The flea is no longer joke, and 1t is the only
serious drawback to an ideal climate. ThOu-
sands of tourists annually endeavor to get rid
of this little pest (PUlex irritans by harsh and
heroic measures. only to be defeated and lrrl-
tated In the most aggravating manner The hea
has created three different classes of people
those who endure phIlosophically. those who
fret and become pessimistic and the many who
fight Systematically and try TO exterminate. The
latter are the happiest. and they give the most
encouragement to Eastern tourists
Many ways have been devised to kill feas and
many experiments have been tried. The most
popular method is to place flypaper in the bed
room, and when disrobing for the night put the
clothes worn during the day near the sticky
sheet. one person has record Of forty-one
killed in this way during the night. lnVestISa-
ton showed that out OF the 1orty-ohe twenty
five were males and sixteen females proving
that the latter are more wary than the sterner
sex. Male heas are larger and blacker than the
females. and while they have more agility they
cannot or do not bite sharply as the thlh
females The strenuous life of the larger pest
however, makes him very annoying and tick
ling. Another method to kill them is the hydro
pathic, because it is more convenient. Al nighI
disrobe near a basin filed with water. and the
water Will soon be dotted with black specks-
Not that feas are thirsty except for gore, for
thev are propagated by sand and heat, and
thrive more during long dry spells. The Whlte
china basin attracts them a white dog or
white clothes Many never uudress unless near
the bathtub. and with considerable water in It,
for the receptacle being larger. the heas are
more apt 10 hop in
As preventive during the day many women
use eucalyptus oil but the odor is not pleasant
Any kind OF oil mixed with caraphor will almost
instantly kill a flea, and many use this prepa-
ra ation when retiring Men are more patient ana
suffer less than women. but one reason given is
that the epiderms of man is thicker ana more
in,neryious To the carnivorous pests. II is as
serted but not substantated. that the Mexioans
are not bothered so much because they eat
great deal Of hot pepper and the caloric flavor
produces either dyspepsia or feeling OF pre-
mature combustion. causing quick migration
on the part of the 1eas. No Mexican has ever
been seen to scratch. and neither has a China
man. Chinaman it is said. is not immune
but his queue is innocent looking aoattoir
where many fieas meet their fate The queue Is
well oiled and looks like harmless hair. and
every flea that lands ii remains and fingers
on until the end in oeaGinous agony. \ student
of the flea says that IT prefers white flesh and
that il viii not desert an animal. a dog or cat.
for instance for people, because the hirsute
covering of a canine is warmer. Clothes are
continually moving as one walks, and this dis
turbs the position of the flea
Flannel is worn next TO the skin by many the
year round for it has been found to deter feas
from moving about and creating that dreaded
tickling sensation. The nap on the flannel en-
snares the flea and keeps it in almost static
bondage until the hour for retiring The under
garment is carefully removed and by dipping
the fingers in water the flea is easily caught
Din the fingers either in oil or water before at
tempting To catch flea, failure is sure 10
follow II Is claimed by some that the bite or
large male flea will raise a pimpe. and one
lady who owns considerable property in South
ern California declares that the small wart on
her right temple came from n flea bite. Sep
teulber and October are the months when all
Industrious housewives devote themselves 10
housekeeping for the sole purpose of getting
rid of the pests Carpets. rugs. mating, in
fact everything in the house. Is overhauled 1t
is hest 10 have as few rugs and drapertes as
possible. for they conceal many feas Dogs and
cats are kept out of the house. for they have a
habit Of shaking themselves and causing many
heas to hop off
MANY ludicrous incidents occur owing to the
strenuous exertions OF the flea. stout lady
from New York went to a city near Los Angeles
one ni,.,t the inmates of the house were aroused
bv a loud humping noise. and going TO her room
discovered her jumping up and down trying 10
shake off the fieas. They gave her oil and CAM
phor 10 use as a salve \ young man started
tn propose to 4 young lady, and was rewarded
with u shrek and confession that the feas
were nearly killing her. He said that two could
fight them better than one and won her.
Eastern people betray the locality they come
from 10y the way they deport themselves in COM
pany when neas are biting them. They look
alarmed and move uneasy in their seats. while
native Californians. or those Injured To the raw
ages OF the pests quietly put their hands on
their clothes, near the location of the feas ds
possible ana give Il massage motion.
In the rural parts of southern California the
humorist who is prompting at a dance often
says. when he the heas are busy. "Al
promenade and scratch" Rural people invarI-
ably scratch. which is considered bad form b..
the more refined city population II is better
To endure the flea bites with calm composure
than 10 violate the canons of good breeding by
gauchcristic exhibitions in company California
is fast becoming land of embryo stoics The,
chemist or humanitarian who discovers some
thing to GXterminate fleas in hot climates will be
blessed by millions yet unborn. Fleas have not
prevented California from advancing in material
welfare and from being the ideal climate for
those seeking To escape cold winters-Leslie's
Weekly.
A FUR MYTH ATTACKED.
OF the expensive furs is better known or