Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-30
DANGER FROM THE HOUSE FLY
Active Campaigns Now Being Conducted in Many Ctle'
Against the House Fly Should Also BE Carried OIL
in the Rural Districts

THE hest way to abate the fly nuisance
Is TO prevent the breeding OF the insect
Of all insects, the one most familiar
to every one, whether resident OF CITY
or country, is the common house OF ty-
nhoid fly. Until recently regarded as
harmless or at most as slight nuisance
n Is now recognized as a most serious
carrier of the germs of disease such as
tvhoid. infantile diarrhoea. tuberculosis
anthrax. trachoma, septicemia, etc. The
axneriments of Grassi and stiles show
that flies can act as carriers OF the
eggs of tape and other parasitic worms
and that man may be infected by the
fly depositing its excreta or being &C
cidently immersed in his food.
OF the diseases thus carried typhoid
ranks as one of the most serious. over
one-fourIh million of cases occur an
AualIv in the United States alone, OF
which over IL per cent prove fatal
Veeder in referring to the conditions
existing in the camps of the Spanish
American war said: There is no doubt
that air and sunshine kill infection II
given time, but their very access gives
for the flies to do serious
wherever they put their feet. In few
minutes they may load themselves with
the dejections from typhoid or dysen-
teric patient, not as yet sick enough 10
he in the hospital or under observation,
and carry the poison so taken up into the
very midst of the food and water Tor
use at the next meal. There is no long
and round about process involved. 1t is
very plain and direct. Yet when the
thousands of lives are at stake IN this
way the danger passes unnoticed anu
the consequences are disastrous and
seem mysterious until attention is d.
rected to the point, then 1t becomes sim
pie enough in all conscience
Another very serious source of infec-
ton in which flies play prominent
part is in the milk supply. AS is Well
known, milk is a most excellent medium
for the development of bacilH which
multiply in it with exceeding rapidity.
have shown that single
fly contaminated by typhoid germs may
spread contagion throughout an entire
Epidemics of intestinal diseases
among infants fed with cows milk ap-
pear to be caused more often by flies
than any other source. Milk comes 10
cities from rural districts where the
principle of sanitation are not applied.
This fact points to the necessity of
handling milk, especially during hot
weather, with great care and cleanliness.
The use of clean milk in community
always lowers the infant death rate.
Another preventive measure is to keep
milk clean through its entire course from
co VITO consumer. Also to keep 1t cool
and always away from flies. All sewer
openings on private or public property
should have blind openings of such
nature that 1t would be impossible for
lies to visit them All refuse from dwell
ngs should be disposed of in such a man
ner that no flies could get at it. Manure
heaps are the most luxurious media for /
the multiplication of flies. Manure should |
never be piled near a dairy or dwelling
It's best disposi Ion is to work 1t into
The soil soon as possible during the sum-
ner months.
This. "A E'noh more easilK aooompl ishedl