UNOFFICIAL OPPOSITION 79 



be but little opposition. In fact, if the anti-fly cam- 

 paign is diligently continued the difficulties will decrease 

 until they disappear. 



But it must be remembered that popularity is fickle ; 

 as a supporting pillar it is often made of paper, as a 

 castle it is based on sand. It is important, therefore, 

 that the foundations of the work are properly fashioned 

 and are of substance. Fly-borne disease is the founda- 

 tion of anti-fly campaigns, and these can be confidently 

 expected to stand and to bear hard knocks even as anti- 

 mosquito-campaigns have withstood them. Fly-borne 

 diseases are facts, and flies are facts they are not 

 merely the dreams of visionaries and enthusiasts. The 

 foundations therefore are strong. Consequently the 

 anti-fly campaigns are built on a strong basis, and it 

 only requires perseverance to make them succeed. 

 Sometime the beginning may fail, but the structure 

 will remain only to be built up again and again. 



Trouble may arise from the householders. These 

 may object to the weekly visits of the inspectors or 

 refuse them admission. Such protesting persons must 

 be dealt with quietly and tactfully. Perhaps one of 

 the inspectors has been impertinent or officious. Care- 

 ful inquiries will soon bring such things to light, and 

 the cause of the opposition obviated. Perhaps, in the 

 near future, fly-larvae will be included in the official 

 list of " nuisances," and then flies will become the care 

 of the magistrates. Or perhaps a Bench will respond to 

 the appeal against flies and decide to punish persistent 

 fly-breeders. Then a few examples will do much to 

 produce permanent fly-reduction. But, as stated before, 

 the law's courses should be avoided if possible. In some 

 countries, where human habitations are grossly insani- 

 tary, a legal instrument for fly-reduction will be of the 



