The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-08-12

The Jacksonville Times Union ap-
proves of the idea expressed by the
State Board of Health, that there
should be state law compulsory, COM
polling all houses to be screened. The
Tampa Tribune seconds the motion, but
says such law would be unpopular
with the unprogressive and tight
wads," but the Tribune thinks it would
be a good thing and willingly obeyed
The Tribune goes on and says most
houses are screened in Tampa, as
measure of comfort to the occupants
but not from a sanitary point. The
Tribune refers to the fact that most Of
the grocery stores, meat markets, fruit
stands and bakeries are not screened
and that such a proposed law should
apply to them, well as houses. No
question if all the houses and buildings
used in the state of Florida, including
all manner of stables, were compelled
to be screened. costly it would be-
that within a year the cost would more
than be returned to the people in i'm
proved health and reduced doctor bills
and care Of the sick
Primarily, people screened their
homes in Florida for comfort, for mos
Quitoes were SO bad it was next to
impossible to sleep, or even sit
on porches in the open because
of the attack of these pests. Mos
quito nets relieved the situation,
but were only temporary in their
rooms and houses came as blessing
and protection to human comfort and
enjoyment of life. Not many years
ago, the idea of screening homes was
not placed on hygienic grounds but
since scientists have demonstrated that
malaral fevers and yellow fevers are
the direct outcome of mosquito bites,
and typhoid the result Of foods impreg
mated with disease germs scattered
over it by the feet of the filthy and
disease breeding fly. The reports of
late years have become so laden with
the havoc these pests have wrought
to the health and life of the people,
that it has aroused a public sentiment,
that has gone into the minds and homes
of the people and made them feel the
necessity of protecting their families
against the scourges wrought by the
Open-handed work of mosquitoes and
flies. The mosquitoes and flies have
become a natural menace to the health
and lives Of the people and because Of
their ravages and the interest aroused
by the general diffusion of this infor-
enough to demand public protection.
Many towns have laws tours has one)
compelling the market men, the fruit
men and the bakers to screen their
premises or protect the articles for sale
to be screened or covered with netting,
and when this sentiment grows great
enough and strong enough. over the
state, some legislator may be induced
to present bill making it compulsory
to have our homes and our business
houses, wherever food is offered for
sale. screened. That it would be a
splendid health law none can doubt
and in turn prove its wisdom and
value But what a howl it would
raise until people can be educated to
it's usefulness and necessity Talk
about personal liberty" and ''prohibi-
tion." they would be a faint vapor to
the gale that would sweep over the
state in opposition and the tyranny at
tempted on the rights ard privileges
of the people. The way the common
people-those who do not know and
fully realize the danger wrought by
the attacks of mosquitoes and flies on
the health and lives Of the people,