The Washington times., 1917-02-10
POPULAR MEDICINE
BY DR.. HIRSHBERG
Intelligent Observation of Rules
of Hygiene Will De-
crease Illness.
By DIR. LEONARD X. HIRsHBERG


Much like the old adage. "a bird
in the hand is worth two in the bush" ="
SO a fly killed in the winter is equal
to a thousand or more killed in June
July or August.
In a general public health cam
paign for the good riddance of the
bad rubbish such as these pests, few
efficient measures for that purpose
can be well used within the house
hold. The elimination of breeding
places and effective screening, even
when most successful, have not given
entire protection, while trapping, poi
soning. and swatting have been USED
as a means to an end with distinct
advantage.
However, poisoning Of flies seems
to possess the fewest disadvantages,
and IL it were not for the dangers
surrounding that method it would,
without doubt, be more popular.
Sciences Latest Suggestions.
1t has become necessary 20 investi-
gate this subject with a view to the
selection of some other substances
which would be less dangerous to the
health and lives OF children, and
which, at the same time would serve
equally well. or better, for the de-
struction of flies To this end expert
ments have been carried on by Earle b.
Phelus, professor OF chemistry. ana
Albert F. Stevenson, sanitry chemist
United States public health service,
with a considerable number of possi-
BILE fly killers, the safest and most
efficient of which are said to be for
maIdehyde and sodium salicylate.
solution of formsldehyde strong
er than / per cent, apparently repels
flies by its odor. while the odor of n
l per cent solution seems to attract
them. Unsatisfactory results are
bound to result with solutions OF i'm
proper strength. During the cool days
Of fall. when 1.-The greatest difficulty
is experienced in keeping flies out Of
the house, this preparation Is used
with very favorable results.
Sodium salicyIate is. according to
Drs. Phelps and Stevenson. new in
this field. whereas. formaIdehyde has
been recommended from time to time.
A per cent solution of sodium salt
cyIate is slightly less efficient than
formaIdehyde, but 1t possesses GER
tain marked advantages. especially
for household use. 1t Is a less objec-
tionable substance to have around
the house in concentrated form. is
solid which does not lose its strength.
and is very easy to prepare. 1t can
be put up in the form OF pepers like
the dangerous arsenic papers used
for fly-catching and killing.
The Safest Ways.
For household uses these two so
Iutions may be prepared by the addi-
tion of three teaspoonfuls of either
the 40 per cent solution of formal
dehyde found on the market or a
powdered sodium salicylate to a pint
of water. Nearly fill a glass tumbler
with the solution. place over this a
piece of bIottinE paper cut in circular
form and somewhat larger than tho
tuGbler, and over this invert a sau-
Ger. Turn the whole device upside
down. and insert a tooInpick under
the edge of the glass to allow the air
to enter. The blotting paper will re-
main in a moist condition until the
contents of the tumbler has been
used The strength of the Tornado
hyde solution will be maintained.
A little sugar sprinkled on the paper
will increase the attractiveness OF the
poison to the flies. Either Of these
preparations may he safely used
where there are children.
(Copy't, 1917. by Newspaper Feature service.)