THE POPULARITY OF SANITATION 71 



mosquito-brigades has been brought forward again and 

 again as a factor against the institution of such cam- 

 paigns. It was feared that they would improperly 

 demand payment for their services, would insist upon 

 receiving backsheesh from the poorer inhabitants, and if 

 they did not receive such payments they might report 

 adversely on the premises of the refusers, or they might 

 even resort to the methods of the blackmailer. But 

 experience has shown, even in countries where native 

 workmen are employed, that such fears are not realised. 

 If the anti-fly campaign has been started on the lines 

 laid down and properly advertised, and its nature and 

 objects fully explained, the men will not indeed cannot 

 become dishonest. If a black-sheep happens to be 

 employed his first covert act will find him out. Every- 

 body in the district concerned will know who the men 

 are, that they are employed to reduce flies and disease, 

 and that their work is under an organisation officially 

 conducted and controlled. Even the poorest classes 

 will soon learn to respect them and to understand their 

 objects and methods. They will become known as the 

 emissaries of the sanitary authority and treated as such. 

 These men will act as intermediaries between the 

 sanitary authority and the people, and will bring the 

 former into closer touch with the latter. At the present 

 time the sanitary authority is, in the eyes of the man 

 in the street, regarded as a pompous individual who sits 

 in an office at the town-hall, is rarely seen or heard of, 

 and who spends his time writing elaborate reports 

 which are rarely read and still more rarely understood. 



The organised anti-fly campaign will cost money. 

 Well, ask for the money boldly ! If the matter is 

 deferred, wait a little, and ask again. Continue this 

 policy it costs nothing to ask. After the early fly- 



