THE TOLL OF THE MOSQUITO 15 



over-wrought nerves and temper and bj r poisonous swellings 

 that sometimes follow the bites probably would reach an enor- 

 mous figure, were such cases traced down and recorded. 



Another aspect of the effect upon health of annoyance by 

 mosquitoes is the possibility that they may have some connection 

 with other diseases than the four hitherto discussed. There are 

 still man} r diseases whose etiology is as yet comparatively 

 unknown, and the possibility is by no means remote that further 

 investigation may show that the mosquito is in some way con- 

 nected with their transmission. 



THE MOSQUITO AS AN ANNOYANCE; ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE 



But the economic significance of the mosquito as an annoyance 

 is probably even more apparent than its significance as a menace 

 to health. The mere fact that mosquitoes are abundant in a 

 region holds back development of that region and keeps property 

 values down to a very low figure. 



Speaking of the economic benefits of eradicating mosquitoes 

 along the New Jersey coast, Headlee 1 says: 



"Everywhere (that) the drainage has been completed and is main- 

 tained, the thoughtful residents speak of the great relief afforded. As 

 the result of an investigation made during the season of 1912-13, shore- 

 line property values between Jersey City and Rumson were found to 

 have increased by $5,600,000. It is significant of the influence of 

 mosquito control on this increase to note that while the increase in the 

 factory section was only 15 per cent, in the residential portions it 

 ranged from 25 to 300 per cent. This tallies well with the observation 

 that parts of the shore, formerly almost uninhabitable because of the 

 mosquito pest, have now become delightful summer resorts. 



"A rather unexpected, but very natural, benefit has appeared as a 

 result incidental to that drainage necessary to eliminate salt marsh 

 mosquito-breeding. An estimate, prepared during the year 1912-13, 

 showed that the salt marshes which had been drained and kept drained 

 3 years or more were producing 2.6 tons of hay per acre, as compared 

 with 0.7 ton produced by marshes that are undrained or only recently 

 drained. 



INCREASING PROPERTY VALUES 



"It is well-nigh impossible to prepare reliable estimates of the value of 

 ridding the rest of the salt marsh of mosquito-breeding. The carrying 



1 "The Mosquitoes of New Jersey and Their Control,'' New Jersey Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Stations, Bull. 276, 1915. 



