The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-04-26
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
!: Editorial ~
~ Comment
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TADPOLES AND TYPHOID
(By Roland T. Patten)

h IL
| ent that the ordinary house fly can
now survive the winter months. Our
houses with their steam, hot water
and furnace heat are responsible for
this. In my boyhood days there was
one important consolation about
winter. 1t put an end to the flies.
J recall well enough the chamber
occupied in that little story and a
half house in the town Of Monson.
There was just one window in it
that was ON the north side. The
wind that hit that end of the house
came Immediately from the Icy,
snow-swept surface of Lake Hebron,
and beyond that doubtless over thou
sands of miles of Arctic area, through
Canada and beyond. Frost gathered
on the window panes in November.
and. don't think completely cleared
off until the following May. Most
of the time 1t was thick enough so
one could not see out. This was no
deprevation; I cannot recall that |
wanted to- There was now and then
crack and hole. | can remember
very clearly. though fifty years have
passed, that where the cold came in
at these holes there would be little
area nearby of clear glass
Certainly no fly could survive the
winter in that room or In any other
of the chambers which were just like
it in the absence of heat. SO Tar
as the living room and kitchen were
concerned a fly might have warmed
his heels there during parts OF the
day. but there would certainly be some
hours out of each twenty-four that
would freeze him up good and solid.
As matter of fact. this common
household pest was entirely extinct
from fall until spring. They were
planty enough in the summer time
though where they came from | can
not say Perhaps eggs laid In one
year would survive the frosts OF
winter. and hatch out in the next.
It must have been some such process.
Nowadays. in many homes a fly can
find congenial atmosphere, a regular
winter resort. and now and then they
crawl out doubtless impatient for
the coming of spring. The result
is unfavorable because 1t increases
the fly problem with its danger OF
typhoid and other disagreeable fea-
lures. | know of housekeepers who
will not kill fly in the winter time,
remarking that the few that are about
are a pleasant reminder OF the good
old summer time. This is entirely
wrong principle for one fly Is pro-
tential source of a thousand eggs or
so, and should be attacked with ener-
fe,In 10
Sentiment and scientific viewpoint
have changed wonderfully on the fly
question. | can recall reading. at
least forty years ago, the wonderful
declaration that no animal was ever
created or allowed to exist except for
beneficient purposes. Accompanying
this statement 1t was explained of
the fly that he was important as
scavenger. without his good SER
vices filth would accumulate and men
ace our life. Doubtless Mr.. Fly does
eat up now and then something which
otherwise might become offensive. We
now know, however, that his princi,
pal business is to tramp around in
the worst filth he can find, and then
come and wipe his untidy feet on our
butter and beef steak. Typhoid is
not the only germ he deals in, but
perhaps it Is the most harmful one.
SO far as / am personally concerned
| would rather swallow tadpole than
typhoid germ. Perhaps this Is
hardly fair to the polliwng, who has
presumably the right to life and hap
piness and the chance to develop into
frog. ! didn't say ! wanted to
swallow him anyway-just expressed
preference for him over the typhoid
microbe.
We can do much to lessen the dan
ger from flies These days of late
winter are just the time to talk about
It. The minute things commence to
thaw out in the spring. we can see
TO it that every possible breeding
place for these dirty little animals
is made way with. Manure, decay
ing vegetable matter. untidness of
every sort about the premises should,
OF course. be removed for It's own
sake. Especially because 1t Will up
set the domestic arrangements OF dur
common enemy. the house fly and lead
to large decrease ia the number Of
these dirty, d.agreeab'e and dangerous
pests.