Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-30
MENACE OF THE HOUSE FLY
TYPHOID AND SUMMER COM
PLANT SPREAD BY PEST.
Bacteria on a Single Insect May
Number Over Six Million-Homes
Should Be Guarded.

Just to what extent the common house
fly Is responsible for the spread Of typhoid
fever is an interesting experiment now
being conducted by DR.. L. 0. Howard,
the entomologist Of the Agricultural De-
partment. DR.. Howard has made a spe-
cial study Of the house fly. and has COL
lected much valuable information which
shows that the house fly has passed from
a disgusting nuisance and troublesome
pest to a dangerous menace to human
health. while it has been demonstrated
that mosquitoes spread malaria and yell
low fever" says DIR. Howard. 1.-The house
fly not only spreads typhoid but carries
summer complaint, cholera infantum.
etc.. Dr. Howard says the number of
way from $50 to 8.6OO,OOO. Early In the
season, says the doctor. the number of
bacteria Is comparatively small, but later
comparatively very large.
Collecting Fly Statistics.
The work of collecting fly statistics in
relation to the spread of typhoid fever in
this city was begun by DR.. Howard on the
LIST Of June. He has caused to be placed
in every section of the city fly paper in
stores. market stands, outhouses and pri-
his instructions collect the fly paper every
two days. and fresh supplies of paper are
left. These experiments will continue un-
til October, when the fly season, if such
a term may be used, is over.
The Uncovered papers are taken to the
Agricultural Department and the flies
counted A record is made and filed away.
The doctor has in his Office a map of
the District Of Columbia. showing sec
lions of the city from which are gathered
the statistics that will no doubt prove
valuable data in connection with the
spread of typhoid fever. The largest
number of flies caught in forty-eight hours
in any section of the city was 1900
In the residential part of the civ the
to the fact Of cleaner alleys and the alb
sence Of stables. which are being con-
verified into garages.
The citizens. who have been asked to
assist In gathering this data, have done
so most willingly, and, indeed, have taken
most lively interest in this experiment.
If the housewife appreciated the danger
from flies she would be more particular
and would use every precaution to keep
from the kitchen the dangerous enemy to
human health
Typhoid Carried by Flies.
Germs of typhoid and summer complaint
are carried by the house fly from stables
and alleys. Flies swarming in alleys
within thirty feet Of an open window are
a menace to the occupants Of the house.
Several years ago, when typhoid was
prevalent here in Westinghouse was De-
fore the filtration plant was completed
1t was expected that statistics would show
a decrease in typhoid when the filtration
plant was put into operation. but this did
not prove to be the case. There was no
decrease in the fever. and it is safe to as
sumo. the doctor claims. that the house
fly carried the typhoid germs.
Washington should be the model sani-
tary city of the country. said Dr. Howard
and considering the small force of in
spectors employed by the health depart
ment the authorities make. the most of
what they have. The force of inspectors
is not large enough to keep a strict watch
on diaries, markets and stables If this
matter were strongly put before Congress
perhaps a sufficient appropriation would
be made for the employment of enough
inspectors to meet the requirements of the
health Office.
DR.. Towards report on his observation
of house flies and their relation to typhoid
fever. which Is more or less prevalent
here in summer. will be made early in Oc-
tOber