231 



ization for that purpose is perhaps the most notable advance taken 

 on this subject. A copy of the Danish law appears elsewhere in this 

 publication. 



That the citizens of other countries are equally alive to the impor- 

 tance of rat extermination is shown by the fact that in England there 

 exists an incorporated society for the destruction of vermin, which 

 society in October, 1908, began the publication of a journarwhich 

 would supply trustworthy information upon the subject. 



It is recognized that a detailed review of past efforts against 

 rodents would be unprofitable, but on account of the enormous 

 trade relations between important seaports it is thought that a 

 review of the measures taken therein against rodents would be of 

 value. 



RAT EXTERMINATION IN UNITED STATES PORTS. 



Prior to the adoption of the International Sanitary Conventions of 

 Paris and Washington, the Federal Government had made provision 

 in its quarantine regulations for the prevention of the spread of plague 

 on ships through rodents. 



The articles contained in the United States Quarantine Regula- 

 tions, issued April 1, 1903, and bearing on the subject, are as follows: 



14. At ports or places where plague prevails every precaution must be taken to pre. 

 vent the vessel becoming infected through the agency of rats, ants, flies, fleas, or other 

 animals. At such ports or places the vessel should not lie at a dock, or tie to the shore, 

 or anchor near any place where such animals may gain access to the vessel. In case 

 cables are led to the shore they should be freshly tarred and provided with inverted 

 cones or such other devices as may prevent rats and other animals passing to the ship. 

 The introduction of vermin on board the vessel from lighters and all other sources should 

 be guarded against. In such ports sulphur fumigation should be resorted to in the 

 holds when empty and from time to time during loading in order to destroy vermin. 



45 (b) Free ventilation and rigorous cleanliness should be maintained in all por- 

 tions of the ship during the voyage and measures taken to destroy rats, mice, fleas, 

 flies, roaches, mosquitoes, and other vermin. 



45 (h) In the case of plague, special measures must be taken to destroy rats, mice, 

 fleas, flies, ants, and other vermin on board. 



128. Vessels infected with plague, or suspected of such infection, should be anchored 

 at a sufficient distance from the shore or other vessels to prevent the escape of rats by 

 swimming. 



133. Special precautions must be taken against rats, mice, ants, flies, fleas, and other 

 animals, on account of the danger of the infection of the disease being spread through 

 their agency. 



134. As soon as practicable there shall be a preliminary disinfection with sulphur 

 dioxide for the purpose of killing rats and vermin before further disinfecting processes 

 are applied to the vessel and her cargo. The killing of any escaping rats shall be pro- 

 vided for by a water guard in small boats, and no person with abrasions or open sores 

 should be employed in the handling of the vessel or her cargo. 



135. The vessel shall be submitted to a simultaneous disinfection in all parts with 

 sulphur dioxide to insure the destruction of rats arid vermin. The rats shall be sub- 

 sequently gathered and burned, due precautions being taken not to touch them with 



