Gilpin observer., 1913-05-15


- tions of public health, have made
ceaseless effort to arouse the American people
concerning disease and death travelling In the
tracks of the common housefy, typhoid fly"
as the United States government does not hesi-
tate to call 1t in it's official printed documents
Little by little the country has become
quainted with the danger, and now entire CON-
munities-hamets, villages cities alike-are un-
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 recog-
nized even in Bible times But never before has
practically 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 pathoo-
gist, DR.. Ferdinand NJ Jefreys of the Polytechnic
Medical school and hospital, to formulate reply
According to DR.. Jeffreys it has very important
in acting danger signal which. cannot
be disregarded with impunity.
Wherever you find the fly" he says. you also
dnd filth And where you find filth, you find dis.
ease"
Not merely typhoid, but other highly danger
GUS intestinal diseases are known to- be
spread by fies and germs of tuberculosis chol-
infantum, spinal meningitis infantile 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
the subject, having lectures delivered before
audiences of children as well as 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 offered for the best essays
written by school children 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, 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 412, makes out a complete
case against what 1t terms "the typhoid or house
fly" .
Vrgina's state board of health has issued at
least three bulletins and circulars devoted wholly
in part to the subject
In addition to quarterly publications, well
illustrated, Iowa issues shorter folders telling
Just how to deal with the fly nuisance.
The Chicago board of health, through tt5 school
of sanitary instruction. publishes and distributes
articles and cartoons the subject. well
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 DR.. c. o. .Probst's practical paper, "The
Fly a Disease Carrier"
Michgans state board has out with
important quarterly document on "The Ant-Fly
Crusade"
Pennsylvania devotes an entire issue of It's
large Health Bulletin to an essay easily under.
stood. which is called THE Common Fly: How
II Develops, Why It 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 four-page circular the state OF New
York has done nothing In the matter that has
been pressed vigorously by the country gen.
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 a red powder scat.
tered over piles Of garbage and othsr Nth nies