The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1908-04-22
Destruction of Rats by Virus.


Destruction of Rats by Virus.
A short time ago the department
of agriculture at Washington issued
a report dealing with the rat. in which
the remarkable fecundity of this ami
NAL and its extensive destructiveness
were set forth. The troubles con-
fronting American farmers are SINH
larly experienced in Europe, and 1t is
estimated that in Germany and Great
Britain alone damage to the extent
of $50 900. 900 is wrought annual
~ by this pest. Several attempts to
check the animal have been made,
but with poor success. Now. how
ever, successful use is being made in
Europe of meteorological prepare
ton discovered by Prof. Neumann of
Allborg, and known as "ratin." This
preparation contains cultures of ba-
cilli either in liquid or solid form
which when eaten by the rats, set
up a violent abdominal Inflammation
similar to malignant typhus, which
kills the rodent within two or three
days. The malady is highly conta-
sious, the epidemic being so virulent
that it spreads with lightning rapid
ty, and loses none of its deadliness
in conveyance from one animal to
the other. AT the same time. the vir-
us appears to be particularly appetiz-
ing to the animal, since it is greedily
eaten.
Several severe tests of the virus
have been carried out by various Eu-
ropean governments, and in each in
stance complete success has been
achieved. Owing to the success of
these trials in Denmark, bill has
been introduced into the legislature
to extend an appropriation of $3.50
per annum for three years toward
the determination of rats by this
method, and some of the British col
onies are now utilizing it upon an
extensive scale.
Previous similar remedies. while ia
tai to rats. have proved equally dan
gerous to domesticated animals upon
the farm With regard to ratin. how
ever, it has been found both by lab
oratory and actual trials that no 9TH
er livestock, or human beings. can
be affected by the virus. with the ex-
ception of sucking pigs and calves,
which being unusually tender, are
susceptible to the virus. severe at
tack of Inflammation of the bowels
resulting from its consumption.
The bacilli are contained in a nn-
TRENT medium inclosed in air-tight
tins The preparation is either used
il its crude form, being wrapped in
small pieces of paper and distribut-
cd in the haunts of the rats. or dis
solved in milk in which pieces OF
bread and other dainties are dipped.
Laid down over night. but little
trace of the bait will be found In
the morning; and should any rats be
seen that have eaten the culture,
they will be found either in a coma
tose or quite dead. fatal results in
variably occurring within forty-eight
nours.
In carrying out the work of exter-
mination. it is necessary that the first
application should be effected upon
extensive and thorough lines. the
subsequent dose being decreased. In
this way severe epidemic is set up
in the first instance, and any danger
of the rodents becoming afflicted
with a mild attack of the scourge in
rhe first place. which might possibly
render them immune in future, Is
ayerted In the course of seven eN-
periments that We're carried out by
the chamber of commerce for the
province of Saxony, in six instances