The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1908-02-29

the first nation to pass rat eAter-
minating law and to begin the syste-
matte work of destroying the pests
which scientists credit with being the
greatest agents in spreading deadly
diseases among mankind England is
preparing to follow the example thus
set and America and other nations are
only waiting to be aroused to definite,
concerted action. In San Francisco
already war has been made on the
rat, for it is no longer a matter of
doubt that the threatened scourge of
bubonic plague in that city was due
to the work of rats.
Ever since last May when the first
cases of what was declared to
appearance at San Francisco it
was proved by the United States
Marine Hospital service that the
the rats were responsible for the
scourge, the war has been carried on
relentlessiy against the rodents. The
rats must 60" has been the slogan
of the health authorities and all the
methods known for the determination
of the pests have been employed, and
# is only a question of time when
other cities of this country, or the ma
tional government itself, will take up
this question and inaugurate concert
ed campaign against Sir Rodent.
In view of the growing prejudice
against the rat, the history of the
anti-rat movement under the Danish
rat law presents an interesting chap
ter in economic zoology and hygiene.
The inspector cuts off the tail OF each
rat to avoid double payment. The hand
barrow carries alright reCeptaCles for
the bodies.
It also serves to show how a man,
having taken hold of truth and pos
sessing unbounded energy and enthu-
siasm, may, single-handed fight the
most merciless ridicule, an appalling
lethargy, and a fierce and powerful
opposition, and yet in the end emerge
VIGOROUSLY with the whole civilized
world rallying to his support.
That is, in sober truth, what has
happened to Zuschlag, the Danish
civil engineer, who is the author, chief
apostle, and undisputed generals
simo" of the worlds crusade against
the rat. When first, ten years ago, he
raised his voice. calling his country
men to arms" and demanding the i'm
mediate passing of a law for the
wholesale determination of the rat
there was much merriment in the
state Of Denmark. But presently Iusch-
lag published a book The Rat and
Civilization" 1t contained a terrible
indictment of the brown rat. and grad
uaIly brought about a radical change
in the public opinion. For Iuschlag
had proved by overwhelming evidence
that the rat fulfills 10 useful func
ton, that each rat costs at the lowest
estimate one farthing a day to keep"
and as there were at least as many
rats in Denmark as people, the need
less loss in food alOne-to say nothing
of the material destroyed by them
would in one year amount to some
.G4000 900. He further showed conclu
sively that the rat is the chief agent
in spreading trichinusis-a disease lit.
tie known in England and America
but a very real danger in Denmark
and with rare intuition he saw that
the rat is also primarily responsible
for the fearful ravages OF the bubonic
plague in India and other countries
within the plague belt, because it
forms the vehicle by which the plague
flea is transferred from plague
stricken native to a healthy one
This latter statement appealed to
the sentiment of the Danish people;
the second fact was in wide circles a
powerful argument ad hominem, but
served also to arouse a bitter hatred
among those interested in the Danish
pork export trade, who did not scru-
pie to denounce Zuschlag as an enemy
TO his own country; but the Simple
sum" contained in the first count Of
the indictment gave the thrifty Danes
"furiously TO think" And Zuschlag
never tired Of pointing out. IF you
will take the trouble to pass a law.
through your representatives,, granting
4 premium of one penny to everyone
who brings a dead rat, you will save
collectively seven shillnga and five
pence on that rat for each year Of
It's natural life you prevent it from
living And-and this is a very big
'and'-you will also save a number Of
people. maybe yourself among them
from dying Of trichinosis Now. If
the rats 10 not calse YOU personally
any loss. perhaps you viii support
the movement on the grounds Of pub.
lie utility If the public interest IS no
concern Of yours. -hon PERHAPS, the
danger 10 yonr health and life win
convince you Of The necessity for this
crusada'