Culicidce , or Mosquitoes 
103 
At night the surest protection is a good bed net. There are many 
types of these in use, but in order to be serviceable and at the same 
time comfortable it should be roomy and hung in such a way as to 
be stretched tightly in every direction. We prefer one suspended 
from a broad, square frame, supported by a right-angled standard 
which is fastened to the head of the bed. It must be absolutely free 
from rents or holes and tucked in securely under the mattress or it 
will serve merely as a convenient cage to retain mosquitoes which gain 
an entrance. While such nets are a convenience in any mosquito 
riden community, they are essential in regions where disease-carrying 
species abound. Screening of doors, windows and porches, against 
the pests is so commonly practiced in this country that its importance 
and convenience need hardly be urged. 
Destruction of mosquitoes and prevention of breeding are of 
fundamental importance. Such measures demand first, as we have 
seen, the correct determination of the species which is to be dealt 
with, and a knowledge of its life-history and habits. If it prove to be 
one of the migratory forms, it is beyond mere local effort and becomes 
a problem demanding careful organization and state control. An 
excellent illustration of the importance and effectiveness of work 
along these lines is afforded by that in New Jersey, begun by the late 
Dr. John B. Smith and being pushed with vigor by his successor, 
Dr. Headlee. 
In any case, there is necessity for community action. Even near 
the coast, where the migratory species are dominant, there are the 
local species which demand attention and which cannot be reached 
by any measures directed against the species of the salt marshes. The 
most important of local measures consist in the destruction of breed¬ 
ing places by filling or draining ponds and pools, clearing up of more 
temporary breeding places, such as cans, pails, water barrels and the 
like. Under conditions where complete drainage of swamps is im¬ 
practicable or undesirable, judicious dredging may result in a pool or 
series of steep-sided pools deep enough to maintain a supply of fish, 
which will keep down the mosquito larvae. Where water receptacles 
are needed for storage of rain water, they should be protected by 
careful screening or a film of kerosene over the top of the water, 
renewed every two weeks or so, so as to prevent mosquitoes from 
depositing their eggs. When kerosene is used, water drawn from the 
bottom of the receptacle will not be contaminated by it to any in¬ 
jurious extent. Where ponds cannot be drained much good will be 
