The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-07-23
FLIES AND MOSQUITOES VS.. RAB
les AND CHAMBERS

To the Editor Ocala Banner:
Isn't it remarkable what a people
of frenzy we are? We have frenzied
finance and frenzied reform, and
sometimes we have frenzied slaugh.
ter.
1t may happen that there are five
or six dogs with rabies in the space
of two or three years in town. and
possibly one human death resultant
therefrom, but that is sufficient to
maintain a wholesale and indiscrim-
mate slaughter of dogs. Of course.
no right thinking person would for an
instant object to keeping dogs muz-
zled or confined, but apart from the
glory it would be just as effectual to
kill measly, roaming ours on the out
skirts of town, as to shoot MANY
times in the midst of an admiring
crowd a carefully guarded and much
valued dog that has possibly ESCAPED
that once from his home. His owner
might be notified with very little trou-
bic, and the dog gladly and gratefully
placed under additional restriction.
However, we are not presuming to
say this method of guarding the pub
lie veal is not necessary. It doubt
less is, but at the same time. in the
same town, why is the same officer SO
blind to other arrangements of the
law? 1t doesn't hurt his feelings to
see men splitting all over the side
walks, and he doesn't even mind add
ing his own contribution to the colIec-
uon' knowing that in many cases it
Is spreading deadly disease germs. to
say nothing of filth He can stand bv
and with clear conscience see all sorts
OF fruit parings and refuse thrown on
the sidewalk and street, attracting
sWarms of disease laden flies. that
VIII next go to the marketable, but
unscreened, fruit, and infect it thor
oughly, thereby spreading typhoid fe-
yer, tuberculosis and other diseases
The officer does not see the flies nor
the unprotected fruit, though there
are laws in plenty to govern such. but
woe unto dog should he appear.
The state board of health publishes
poster, graphically illustrated. and
with these facts, concerning flies.
Flies breed in horse manure. COW
dung, decaying vegetables, garbage of
all descriptions, dead animals and hui
man eXcrement.
Remember that when and where alb
Solute cleanliness prevails there are
no flies.
Look daily after the garbage cans.
See that they are carefully sprinkIed
with lime or kerosene oil and effect
vely covered.
DO the same thing TO manure heaps. !
and remove all manure from stables |
every three or four days, and when
removed, cover with lime and sand.
Look carefully after the cuspidors.
They require constant attention. This
s particularly true in hotels, boarding
houses, station houses, railroad sta
ions, and, in fact. wherever peoDle
in large numbers.
Flies are fond of feasting on tuber-
culosis sputum, and hayer around
cuspidors. The specks Of flies con-
ain live tubercle bacilli after they
nave eaten tuberculosis sputum. show.
ng that the bacilli will pass through
he digestive tract of the fiv in an
active infective state.
Flies carry on their mouths( pro-
)osces) and on their legs. putrifyingI
and disease germs. on which thew
nave recently fed, and then crawl over
ood, injecting it, unless shut out bv
screens.
Keep flies from the sick, especially
nose III from communicable or con-
aglous diseases. If the room is not
the patient should be treated |,
lnder net, both for safety to others
IS well as individual comfort.
screen all food. Apply this rule
lot only to food prepared at home
'u' 70 1000 stufts offered for sale, and