The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-09-30
KENNEDY TALKS.
ON MOSQUITOES.
IN PENSACOLA.
MEMBER STATE BOARD OF
HEALTH TELLS HOW THEY
BREED AND WHAT is NEcES-
sARY TO GET RID OF THEM
PEOPLE THEMSELVES MUST DO
THE WORK.

When seen by a Journal representa-
tive and asked for a statement regard
ing the excessive number of mosqui-
toes In the western section of the city
and the probable effect on the health
Of the community, DR.. Mallory Ken
nedy, member Of the State Board of
Health, had the following to say:
Some months ago my attention was
called to the fact that residents in
the western section of the city were
complaining of the odor arising from
distillery located near the head Of
one of the branches of Little Bayou,
and l was told that the water in that
locality contained wiggle tails, and
that the mash being dumped into the
bayou was killing the fish.
4 discussed the matter with Dr.
D'Alemberte, assistant to the state
health officer. who with the Hon. Scott
NJ Loftin, Investigated the then exist
ing conditions, with the result that
Mr.. Loftin was able to get the oper-
ators of the distillery to promise to
stop emptying the mash into the bayou
if given sufficient time to purchase a
drying plant.
While the odors from the dIstillery
may be a nuisance, and while the mash
dumped into the head waters of the
bayou may kill the fish l do not be-
Heve that the distiIlery IS responsible
for the increase in the number of
mosquitoes that are in our city, not
only IN the western, but N the north
ern, southern and eastern portions,
as we'll
The fact that the city is excep-
tionally free from malaria, which we
know is transmitted by the Anopheles,
strengthens my contention that these
mosquitoes are Of the brackish water
variety; and with a body of water
the size of the Little Bayou on the
west side Of the city and the bay on
the south, with Bayou Texar on the
east, 1t is not surprising that this
brackish water variety is plentiful,
and 1t is hardly fair to pick out one
spot at the head of the Little Bayou
and blame 1t for all the Ills that flesh
is heir to-
The following is quoted from How
ards Mosquitoes and he is considered
an authority in this country:
Different Kinds of Mosquitoes.
breed only in fresh water, but there
are several forms which breed album
dainty in the salt marshes along the
sea coast. The most common of these
is the salt water mosquitoes of the
North Atlantic Coast Culex SolIiCitous.
Smith of New York, has shown that
while most varieties do not fly far, that
this species fly for a considerable dis
lance inland from the coast. He has
also shown that it hibernates in the
egg stages, and that the eggs are not
deposited in water but upon ground
which viii be subsequently covered
with water
This explains. in a measure, why
the city is generally infested with
these tiny pests. In addition to this
breed of mosquitoes, we have with us
always, the stegomyia, a house mos
quito, which breeds and lays its eggs
about the house, and never files very
far from it's place of birth, rarely over
a few hundred feet.
Now YOU may be very careful 70
empty all reCeptacles in your yard
which might hold water in which the
steGOmyia could lay its eggs. but if
Your next door netghbor is as careless,
as you are careful, your care win count
city of his variety, all citizens must
help.
Many substances are used $ pro-
lection against the bite Of the mos
quito. The most successful is COM
posed Of one ounce oil of cedar, two
ounces oil CitrOnelIa, and two ounces
spirits of camphor. A few drops of this
mixture placed upon a towel and
thrown over the head of the bed will
protect the sleeper for the whole night
sulphur has been found to be the
best substance with which to fumigate
a house to rid it of mosquitoes, and
should be used after all cracks and
"AimneNS have been sealed. burning
not less than three pounds for a room
t0X10X10, and allowing the fumes to
remain in the room three or four hours |
How to Fight Mosquitoes.
In order to set the best results
the remedies against mosquitoes must |
ne directed against their breeding
places.
'First-Do away entirely with the
breeding place, if possible
"SecOnd-Treat with petroleum the /
surface of all stagnant pools which 7
cannot be drained.
"Third-PIace fish into pond where /
are breeding and which !
cannot be drained or filed.
"Fourth-Empty all receptacles ::
around the premises, which contain .
water viz: Bottles. cans. buckets, I
stopped up rain spouts or cutters, |
plants which catch and hold water,
etc.
In using petroleum. two ounces to
very sixteen square feet of surface is
generally enough if a good grade OF |
fuel oil is used
In many graveyards it is customary
TO place vases on or near the graves
% hold flowers. After n rain these
vases filled with water. make an ideal |
SDOr for. a r7proui+o r. law ;ts ac-ys.