DESTROYING AND REPELLING MOSQUITOES 95 



should be made as tight as possible by stopping the cracks 

 with strips of paper, as explained in a later chapter on 

 bedbugs. The author has been able to burn sulfur very 

 satisfactorily by putting the required amount, 2 pounds 

 to 1000 cubic feet of space, in an iron dish and pouring 

 on top half a teacupful of wood alcohol. The dish con- 

 taining the burning sulfur is liable to become very hot 

 and should be placed on bricks set in a tub containing a 

 little water. The sulfur is liable to boil over and set 

 fire to the floor. The gas kills all of the mosquitoes and is 

 thus very effective. It, however, tarnishes brass, nickel, 

 and gilt, and articles made of these materials should either 

 be removed from the room or covered with paper or cloth. 



Culicide. — In the great fight against yellow fever in 

 New Orleans a compound of equal parts, by weight, of 

 carbolic acid crystals and gum camphor was found 

 efficient in killing mosquitoes in rooms. It is known as 

 Mims "Culicide." Take one pound of carbolic acid 

 crystals and liquefy by placing the bottle in hot water ; 

 take one pound of gum camphor, break into small pieces, 

 place in a one-quart jar, and as the acid liquefies, pour it 

 over the gum camphor, which will be gradually dissolved. 

 When all the acid has been poured over the camphor and 

 the latter has dissolved, there will be one full quart of 

 a slightly reddish, heavy liquid. This is the Culicide, 

 which will remain in this condition indefinitely, if kept 

 covered. Three ounces evaporated in a closed room will 

 suffice to kill all flies, mosquitoes, and other insects in one 

 thousand cubic feet of space. 



To evaporate, it is necessary to use heat, and an arrange- 

 ment to do this is easily improvised by a section of stove 

 pipe from which triangular pieces are cut at the bottom 



