Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-18
hLLNe SALT MARSHES WITH CoNTEN Or Ash
BREEDING

to others. The three best known va
rieties of the pest in this country are tbs
malarial. the yellow fever and the rain
barrel mosquito. all of which. of course,
are also known by lengthy Latin names.
Most of the natural history Of mosquitoes
is but a few years old: hence. in deal
ing with them, generalities are OFTEN as
specific information as there is obtain
able.
For many centuries" says DR.. How
ard. humanity has endured the annoy
ance of mosquitoes without making any
intelligent effort to prevent 1t except In
the use of smudges, preparations applied
to the skin, and in removal from local
tiles where they are prolific. And it is
only within comparatively recent years
that the widespread community work
against mosquitoes has been undertaken.
this having resulted almost directly from
the discoveries concerning the carriage o.
disease by these insects
From the mass of material which Dr.
Howard has accumulated concerning
mosquitoes several recipes for prepare
tons tested and found efficient in ward
ing off the insects are offered. Spirits
of camphor, oil of pennyroyal and oil
of peppermint together with lemon juice
and vinegar. are, of course. we'll known
projections from the bites of mosquitoes
In addition. the department suggests an
ounce each of castor oil. alcohol and
oil of lavender rubbed upon the exposed
portions of the body. In the past Few
years oil of citronella has come into very
general use in this country. but has met
with considerable opposition on account
of its strong and. to some people, OBJ
jectionable odor. A formula which has
been recommended by New York man.
however, overcomes this obstac!e. by
ounce of spirits Of camphor and half
an ounce Of oil Of cedar.
A few drops of this on a bath towel
hung over the head of the bed. 1t is claim
tIo In
sects are very persistent. when the mix
ture should be applied again.
From an anonymous correspondent OF
a medical magazine the department was
advised to use Oil Of cassia, as the odor
is not offensive to human beings. but Is
an irritant poison to all kinds OF insects.
This remedy, too, is said to be efflcacious
long after it has dried out on the skin
Pure kerosene has also been used as
protection against mosquitoes for con-
siderable time. but its odor has always
been an objection to its use. II one part
of oil of bergamot is added to sixteen
parts of kerosene. however, the odor Is
scarcely perceptible
If you are thirsty for the blood of the
mosquito that has Weakened you from
sound sleep with his exasperating hum
and then bitten you thoroughly by way
of a cordial greeting. get up out of bed
and go after him with your homemade
apparatus intended for such villains as
he This contraptfon, of course, has been
fashioned beforehand in anticipation of
his visit. 1t is made of tin cup or can
nailed to the end Of long stick or broom
handle. Pour few spoonfuls Of kero-
sene In the cup. pick out Mr.. Mosquito
as he reclines on the ceiling preparatory
to another bite, creep up upon him and
press the can against the ceiling SO as
to nclose him. He will attempt to fly
but the tin cup and the kerosene will get