DESTRUCTIOX OF MOSQUITOES, ETC. 673 



the public have appreciated the change, and in consequence the cash trade 

 has considerably increased. We found the meat kept better, also a great 

 saving in handling, not nearly so much trimming being required, as the "blows" 

 from flies were fewer. We also found a great saving in ice, as under the old 

 system of keeping meat in the ice chest during the summer months made 

 the constant opening to take out joints as required very expensive. As 

 regards ventilation, we do not find that the screens interfere to any great 

 extent, but at the same time, as the electric S3'stem extends here, we shall 

 instal fans ; at present it would be too expensive. We are so satisfied that the 

 idea is a good one, that we are screening all our suburban shops, and already 

 have ten shops finished in the same style as the one you remember in the 

 Dominion Road. 



" We are, etc., 

 Auckland, N.Z., " R. & W. Hellaby, Ltd. 



29th Nov., 1910. " F. Wing, Secretary." 



I have also found in Launceston, Tasmania, that not only the 

 public, but also the butchers, appreciate the improvement. 



With regard to Pediculi capitis, everyone is familiar with the 

 fact that petroleum is now recognised as an efficient remedy for 

 the removal of nits. 



It is interesting to note that Dr. Isabel Ormiston, Medical 

 Inspector of Schools, Tasmania, finds that every case of impetigo 

 contagiosa which she has investigated has had this condition of 

 pediculi associated therewith. 



A recent report from Dr. Hamer, Medical Officer to the London 

 County Council, shows that there has been some association 

 between outbreaks of scarlet fever in common lodging houses 

 with the occupation of beds infested with vermin. 



Although we have no " Cleansing of Persons Act " in Australia 

 or New Zealand, yet we cannot claim after the reports of the 

 examination of school children to be free from the disgusting in- 

 fection of children with vermin. 



In an examination of the children attending one of the schools 

 in the city of Auckland, the worst case of scabies (itch) I came 

 across was in a child living almost next door to the Health 

 Department. 



The provision of school nurses and women health visitors, as 

 is intended in Tasmania, if adopted in the other parts of Austral- 

 asia ought to remove the conditions which occasionally, although 

 fortunately rarely, allow the continuance of the spread of vermin 

 among children. Some people, unfortunately, look upon a bath 

 as a form of torture, but magistrates might inflict this punish- 

 ment on some of the casual occupants of receiving cells, and if at 

 the same time the clothing was sterilised there would be fewer 

 vermin to start a fresh cycle among that small class in our cities 

 " who toil not, neither do they spin," yei being human carriers 

 of insect carriers of disease are not only a drag economically on 

 the community, but also occasionally if not actually a source of 

 danger, and always a nuisance. 



T2 



