Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-19
Diseases Traced to Flies,

The common house fly is one of the
worst enemies of mankind, according to
the opinion of physicians, scientists,
and business men in all parts of the
country, who have been waging a war
on him for a number of years.
Under the direction of the Merchants
Association of New York, data concern
ing the disease-carrying and polluting
abilities OF the fly have been compiled.
These data were furnished by heads
md members of board of health in ma
ny cities and towns. They have indi-
,sted the fly on many charges. Among
hem. ana probably the principal one,
S the carrying and transmission of
typhoid fever germs.
In many of the reports made to tn
association, in answer TO queries sen
out, it is shown that exhaustive invest
cations of conditions in all parts of thu
world during the months of June, July
August, and September are such that j
@he house lily is permitted to have
feeding ground on some refuse, he will
carry typhoid germs or pollute food Ii
Iuids, causing epidenics of fever
A majority of intestinal diseases, ac
'ordinS to expert entomOlOgiStS VIII
nave contributed articles in the publ
'atlon Of this valuable pamphlet, ar,
traced to the common house fly.
DR. l.. O. Howard. chief of the bu
reau of entomology, y. S. Department
of Agriculture, in an exhaustive article
in the edition just issued by the asso-
citation, and entitled, THE House FL,
at the Bar for Indictment" substitutes
: r,, ~;
owing to irs germ-c carrying abilities
DR.. Howard says that people have al
together too long considered the house
fly as q harmless creature, while scier-
tific researches have shown that it is g
most dangerous creature from the
standpoint Of disease. DIR. Howard fur.
ther states that after a number OF
years research and study of the house
fly, he finds that the fly after visiting
'lecayed and diseased matter on the
outside of the house, will get in anG
parade over food stuffs, drinking water
and milk, and that it will frequent the
mouths of sleeping babies. and when il
docs it is Subjccting the foods and the
infant to germs the fly picked up else
where. He adds that it is particularly
Many cases are given showing that
after the house Hy's habitation had
been destroyed conditions had improv-
ed
About SO per cent. Of typhoid is due
to i'ies, according to the letters received
by Edward Hatch, Jr.. chairman of the
committee on pollution of waters of
New York. in answer to letter sent to
the heads of health departments in
every large city in the United States
ard Canada. In almost every letter he
received the writer stated that investi-
cations of typhoid epidemics showed
that the house fly was the principal
offender. These letters also state that
the fly is most dangerous where were
deposits of filth handy.
Many suggestions as to preventing
visits of the fly are giver in the PAM
phlet. One is the proper screening of
the home, while another is the abolish
ment of the hy's habitation. Means
for protecting food supplies from flies
are also suggested. The principal one
is to do away with all places that are
favorable for the breeding of flies The
second Is to use every method to kill
lies that get INTO the house and pan
try.
The pamphlet has been issued at
cost, which was borne by
the members of the association. 1t
will he sent to any association or So
riety contemplating warfare on the
fly. The committee in charge of the
work consisted of Edward Hatch. Jr.,
chairman: J. Piernont Morgan, John Y
Cuylcr. Albert Wander Veer, and Daniel ;
D. Jackson.