The Typhoid Fly a Pest.—The common fly is recognized as a pest the world over. Flies have long been known to spoil food through their filthy habits, but it is more recently that the very serious charge of spread of diseases, caused by bacteria, has been laid at their door. In a recent experiment two young men from the Connecticut Agricultural Station found that a single fly might carry on its feet anywhere from 500 to 6,600,000 bacteria, the average number being over 1,200,000. Not all of these germs are harmful, but they might easily include those of typhoid fever, tuberculosis, summer complaint, and possibly other diseases. A recent pamphlet published by the Merchants' Association in New York City shows that the rapid increase of flies during the summer months has a definite correlation with the increase in the number of cases of summer complaint. Observations in other cities seem to show the increase in number of typhoid cases in the early fall is due, in part at least, to the same cause. A terrible toll of disease and death may be laid at the door of the typhoid fly.
Showing how flies may spread disease by means of contaminating food.
There were 329 typhoid cases in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1910, 158 in 1911, 87 in first 10 months of 1912. 80 to 85 per cent of outdoor toilets were made fly proof during winter of 1910. Account for the decrease in typhoid after the flies were kept out of the toilets.
Recently the stable fly has been found to carry the dread disease known as infantile paralysis.
Remedies.—Cleanliness which destroys the breeding place of flies, the frequent removal and destruction of garbage, rubbish, and manure, covering of all food when not in use and especially the careful screening of windows and doors during the breeding season, will all play a part in the reduction of flies. To the motto "swat the fly" should be added, "remove their breeding places!"
Other Insect Disease Carriers.—Fleas and bedbugs have been recently added to those insects proven to carry disease to man. Bubonic plague, which is primarily a disease of rats, is undoubtedly transmitted from the infected rats to man by the fleas. Fleas are also believed to transmit leprosy although this is not proven.
Flea which transmits Bubonic plague from rat to man.