New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-07-27

| they are JHe PIii'iPoi ''e
the propagation and spread of bu-
bonic plague.
Ancient writings abound in al
lus;ons to pestilences and their
connection with epizotics among
rats and mice.
In the Book of Samuel there is
reference to pestilence having
relation to mice. and that it might
be stayed the Phihst,nes made OF
ferings of golden images of the
mice that married the land.
During the centuries that have
interviewed rats have migrated to
practically every quarter OF the
earth, causing untold losses on &C.
count of their depredations. They
have also, in all probability, been
the primary agents of transmls-
sion in the pandemics Of plague
which have visited the earth. The
fact that plague is due to a spe-
cific ,microorganism, and that It's
presence in man is also associated
with ep'zootics in rats, has led to
more careful study OF this AMI
NAL. particularly in relation to
his habits, the diseases from which
he suffers. and the methods nee
essary to his control. Prior to
the beginning of the present pan.
demic of plague which had It's
origin in China, interest in the
rat was almost wholly an econom-
ic and financial ono Since that
tins evidence has been rapidly ac-
cumulating. which proves that
this animal and his parasites are
responsible for the transmission of
| plague and that plague itself is es-
sentially a disease of the rat.
A knowledge Of this animal ON
that part of the sanitarian there
fore becomes ess1ltiaf. During
the enforcement Of antiplague
measures IN California, Hawai-,
the Philippine Island and else
where, observations of great value
have been made and their prac-
teal application has resulted IN
better directed efforts for the
elimination of the disease,
In studies Of plague and lep-
rosy with the view Of their dag
nosis and control, it is not enough
now to isolate the heterogeneous
responsible for these diseases, but
the sanitariau must be able to
recognize the pathological eondi-
tons present in animals affected.
and to do so he must have prac-
teal knowledge Of this subject in
order that he may differentiate
between the various diseases from
which these animals suffer.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL studies made
Of plague since the adoption OF
the International Sanitary Con-
vention Of Paris and the Inter-
national Sanitary Convention of
Washington have proven that the
rat and its parasite, the flea, are
the agents Of transmission OF the
disease. In order words, where
rats go plague will go. believe
therefore, radical measures should
be adopted, and in communlca-
ton of February 26, 1909, adj
dressed to the Secretary of State,
/ suggested the advisability Of
submitting the question of a sys-
tematic destruction of rodents
aboard ship to an international
sanitary conference, with the
view to the adoption of an Inter
national sanitary regulation on
the subject. The adoption Of such
a regulation would undoubtedly
lessen quarantine restrictions,
prevent the destruction of cargo
by rodents, and obviate the dam
ger Of the further spread Of
plague.
Until ships are freed from rats,
each country must take all nec-
essary precautions, consistent with
international agreements, to des-
troy rats; and the sanitary author
tiles Of infected localities must, at
great expense, determine the ex-
tent Of infection among rodents,
when 4 presents itslf In a commun.
/ ity is Of great magnitude, and
those responsible for it's solution
should be familiar with all its
phases.
1 The determination of rats has
become one Of the serious prob
lens Of modern times, that such
noxious animals should have
fourished 20 long Is not creditable
!, to our civilization. While no
kind OF rat can be regarded harm
less, the various species differ
greatly In harlnfrilness. In CON-
parison with the cosmopoliton
species that reached our shores
from the Old World, our native
rates do little damage. It is i'm
/ portant, therefore, to be able to
recognize the introduced forms, to
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