The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-02-28

Inc rat must go. denmark has been
the first nation to pass a rat exter-
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
be bubonic plague made their
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
relentlessly against the rodents. "The
rats must CO." has been the slogan
of the health authorities and all the
methods known for the determination
of the pests have been employed, and
1t is only 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 air-tight receptacles for
the bodies.
1t 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 Zusch-
lag published book: "The Rat and
Civilization" 1t contained terrible
indictment Of the brown rat, and grad
ually brought about radical change
in the public opinion. For Zuschlag
had proved by overwhelming evidence
that the rat fulflls no useful func-
ton, that each rat costs at the lowest
estimate one farthing a day ito 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
100000. He further showed conclu-
sively that the rat is the chief agent
in spreading trichinosis-a disease lit
tie known in England and America,
but very real danger in Denmark
and with rare intuition he saw that
the rat is also primarily responsible
for the fearful rayages 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 healthy one.
This latter statement appealed to
the sentiment of the Danish people;
the second fact was in wide circles
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, eff you
will take the trouble to pass law,
through your representatives, granting
e premium of one penny to everyone
who brings dead rat, you will save
collectively seven shillings and FIVE
pence on that rat for each year of
it's natural life you prevent it from
living. And-and this is very big
'and'-you will also save a number of
people, maybe yourself among them,
from dying of trichinosis. Now, if
the rats do not cause you personally
any loss, perhaps you will support
the movement on the grounds of pub
lie utility. If the public interest is no
concern of yours, chen, perhaps, the
danger to your health and life will
convince you Of the necessity for this
crusade"