The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-13
INSECT-BORNE DISEASES
 SUBJECT OF CUNNINGHAM

 on 1t or in their bodies. In the biological group, generally speaking, there Is one species of insect, one particular para site for each disease communicated in that way For example, the anopheles mosquito for growing and transmitting malaria, and the stegomyia mosquito, yellow fever. Certain varieties of ticks for certain diseases etc.
 Malaria, yellow fever, filariases (millSy urine, thickened skim. dengue (break- bone fever), and distomiasis 1blood worms), are produced by mosquitoe. of different species. In all a part of the life cycle of the parasite of the dis ease is spent in the mosquito. They trans init the disease by the biological method and by biting
 FLIES
 (a) Biting flies. Nagona tanimal disease), sleeping sickness. three-day fever (adri- atic; gnat). infantile paralysis, othe stable fy) and pink eye"
 (b) Contract flies The common house fly and other species: Typhoid fever tu- berculosis. smallpox, dysentery, contagious sore eyes. erysipelas. anthrax, glanders and all skin infections.
 TICKS c,NOT TRUE INSECTS"). Rocky mountain spotted fever, African tick fever relapsing fever.
 BED BUGS.
 Kala-azar, rslapsing fever and perhaps other disease where the infection is in the blood, particularly typhus fever.
 PLEAS.
 Bubonic plague By first biting an in fected rat and afterward man.,
 LICE.
 Head and body lice. Typhus fever tnot typhoid).
 The above-named insects and the dis ease they produce are taken from Rose neaus "PreventiVe Medicine.
 There are other insects which may com municate disease by the mechanical ana per haps by the biological method also. Also other disease. diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, whooplng cough and eere- brospinal fever. can doubt be com municated by the common house flies after feeding or loading their legs. wings or bodies with the mouth and nose seere- tions of persons with these diseases and subsequently lighting upon the lips or nostrils of we'll people susceptible to these diseases. Any insect which makes ever so small a wound by lighting, stinging, clawing or blistering may prepare the way for eryspelas. abscesses. etc.
 PREVENTION.
 The prevention of insect-borne disease naturally divides itself into the destruc- ton of insects, and in preventing them from biting coming in contact with persons or animals infected with the dis eases, or their infected discharges, and with well persons also. Here, as in all warfare. the destruction of the enemy is far better than protection against him behind breastworks. All insects are short lived, but while living most of them are very prolific in the reproduction of their species.
 The best method is to destroy their breeding places and the favorable circum- stances for their growth and living. There l.. al1 insects for their destruction, to stop their breeding But to most of them this rule applies: Cleanliness of habitation, clothing and person. This certainly ap- plies to flies bedbugs, fleas and lice. The life history of each insect must be known upon what they feed where they live and how they breed. This would require special study of entomology that is inn possible in this short article
 In next bulletin rabies or hydrophobia will be discussed.
 R. M CUNNINGHAM, M. D.,
 City Health Officer