Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1913-05-16

III n munlties, reaching froHI Seattle
IA 81 and San Francisco to Boston,
III IA During recent years physicians
IL psychologists. sanitary engineers
/ and others concerned with ques
- tons of public health have made
ceaseless effort to the American people
concerning disease and death travelling in the
tracks of the common housefy, or typhoid fly"
as the United States government does not hes-
rate to call it in its official printed documents
Little by little the country has become ac-
quainted with the danger, and entire com
mun1ties-hamlets. villages cities alike-are
dertaking systematic and complete determination
of the insect. The fly has been recognized as
carrier of disease for many generations and
some authorities like Jean Dawson, the Cleve-
land biologist, feel satisfied that it so recog
nized even in Bible times. But never before has
practically an entire great nation awakened to
the absolute necessity of fighting the fly to the
death; of driving 1t out of existence.
Moreover it was left for New York patholo-
gist, DR. Ferdinand M. Jeffreys of the Polytechnic
Medical school and hospital to formulate reply
to the old question "Of what use is the fy?"
According to Or. Jeffreys it has very important
use In acting as a danger signal which cannot
be dfsregarded with impunfty.
Wherever you find the fly" he says you also
find filth. And where you find filth, you find dis
ease"
Not mensly typhoid. but other highly danger
GUS intestinal diseases now known to be
spread by flies, and germs of tuberculosis chol-
nfantum, spinal meningitis, infantiIe paraly-
sis, are likewise carried far and wide by the same
little pests. State boards OF health county COM
missions, municipal health departments, private
organizations of men and women in all stations
OF life are printing and distributing pamphlets
on the subject having lectures delivered before
audiences of children well of adults, ex
planning various methods of poisoning trapping
and "swatting' flies In many cities prizes of
money have been offered for the largest number
of flies killed in given period. In other cities
and towns prizes are offered for the best essays
written by school children as to the dangers of
flies and how to get rid of them.
North Dakota has issued two important health
department bulletins, spread broadcast through
out the state, one entitled Fly Habits" and the
other "A Fly Catechism," in which are answered
in simple language questions concerning flies
which the youngest child may understand.
The United States government through its
Farmers bulletin No. 4f2, makes out complete
case against what 1t terms "the typhoid or house
fly"
Virgina'B state board of health has issued at
least three bulletins and circulars devoted wholly
in part 90 the subject.
In addition TO quarterly publications. one we'll
illustrated Iowa issues shorter folders telling
just how to deal with the fly nuisance.
The Chicago board of health. through its school
OF sanitary INSTRUCTION, publishes and distributes
articles AND cartoons on the subject, as well as
| concise list of Hints to Householders."
The Ohio state board of health has also been
busy in the matter and has reprinted large num-
bers of DIR. c. o. Probsts practical paper. THE
! Fly as a Disease Carrier
! Michigan's state board has come out with an
| important quarterly document The AntiFly
| Crusade"
Pennsylvania devotes entire issue of its
/ large Health Bulletin to essay easily under
stood which is called The Common Fly: How
! 1t Develops, Why 1t Must Be Destroyed, and
How to Destroy It."
South Carolina. Texas. and almost all the other
states in the Union have been doing their utmost
| to educate the public concerning the dangers OF
permitting flies to exist. But with the exception
of single fourpage circular the state of New
York has done nothing In the matter that has
been pressed vigorously by the country gem
orally This circular is brief document entitled
The Filthy Fly" and is issued by the Publicity
and Education Department of the State Board of
Health.
1t is said that by means of red powder scat
tered over piles of garbage and other filth flies