Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-02-01

be repaired so as to make them prac-
tically rat-prOOf; and fOodstuffs. as
flour, seeds. and meats. may always
be protected In wire cages ut slight
expense. The public should be pro-
tected from insanitary stores by a
system of rigid inspection.
Household SuppIies.-Similar care
should be exercised in the home to
protect household supplies from mice
and rats. Little progress in Kidding
the premises of these animals can be
made so long rs they have access to
supplies of food. Cellars, Kitchens,
and pantries often furnish subsistence
not only to rats that inhabit the
dwelling, but to many that come from
outside. Food supplies may always
be kept from rats and mice II placed
In inexpensive rat-proof containers
covered with wire netting. Seme0mea
all that is needed to prevent serious
waste is the application Of defective
part of the building.
Produce in Transit.-Much loss of
fruits, vegetables, and other produce
occurs i'm transit by rail and ON ships.
Most of the damage is done ut wharves
and in railway stations, but there is
also considerable i'm ships holds, espe-
cially to perishable produce brought
from warm ATTITUDES. Much of this
may be prevented by the use of rat
proof cages ut the docks, by the care
full fumigatiOn of seagOing vessels ut
the end of each voyage, and by the fire.
quent fumigatiOn of vessels I'm coast
wise trade; but still more by replacing
old and decrepit wharves and station
platforms with modern ones built of
concrete.
Where cargOes are being loaded or
unlOaded at wharves or depOts, food
liable to attack by rats may be tenn
porarily safeguarded by being placed
in rat-prOOf cages, or pounds, con-
structed of wire netting. Wooden
boxes containing reserve food held in
depOts for considerable time or in
tended for shipment by sea may be
made rat-prOOf by light coverings Of
metal along the angles. This plan has
long been in use to protect naval stores
ON ships and in warehouses. 1t Is
based on the fact that rats do not
gnaw the plane surface Of hard mate
rails. but attack doors. furniture and
boxes at the angles only.
Packing Houses.-Packing houses
and abattOirs are often. sources from
which rats secure subsistence, espe-
cially where meats are prepared for
market in old buildings. In Old-style
cooling rooms with double walls Of
wood and sawdust insulation, always
a source Of annoyance because Of rat
infestatiOn, the utmost vigilance is
required to prevent serious loss of
meat products. On the other hand.
packing houses with modern cOnstruc-
ton and sanitary devices have no
trouble from rats or mice.
Garbage and Waste.-Since much Of
the food of rats consists Of garbage
and other waste materials, 1t Is not
enough to bar the animals from mar
kptS, XTuIuTicS, duu pr
vate food stores. Garbage and offal
OF all kinds must be so disposed of
that rats cannot obtain them.
In cities and towns an efficient sys-
TEN of garbage collection and disposal
should he established by ordinances.
Waste from markets, hotels, cafes and
households should be collected In COW
cred metal receptacles and frequently
emptled. Garbage should never be
dumped In or near towns. but should
ne utilized CT promptly destroyed by
Are.
Rats find abundant food in country
slaughterhOuses reform in the man.
ngeIncnt of these Is badly needed.
Such places are centers Of rat propa-
CATION. 1t Is common practice TO
leave Offal Of slaughtered animals to
be eaten by rats and swine. and this
is The chief means OK perpetuating
trichinae ia pork. The law should re-
qdire that on;al be promptly cremated
or otherwise disposed OF. Country
slaughter-hOuses should be as cleanly
and as constantly inspected Us abba
toirs.