THE PETROLEUM BRIGADE 69 



Mosquito Preventiox at Ismaiua 



"We next proceeded to the examination of the 

 system of mosquito-prevention adopted in the town 

 itself, M. TiUier taking liis own house and garden as a 

 typical example of the others in the European quarter. 

 Once a week tlie "' Petroleum Brigade " visits tlie 

 houses and pours a mixture consisting of equal parts of 

 crude and ordinary petroleum into all collections of 

 drains and waste water which do not soak away during 

 the course of the day. Petroleum is poured into the 

 water-closets and into the puits pcrdus or sunken pits, 

 which receive the bathroom and kitchen waste. The 

 garden fountain is emptied, and if any water still 

 remains in it which cannot be removed, petroleum 

 is added ; it is refilled after twelve hours. Similarly, 

 the stable drains, washing troughs and all receptacles 

 containing waste water are flushed or emptied or 

 petroleum added. The essence of the procedure being 

 to either empty and cleanse and then renew all water 

 receptacles, or to add petroleum when this cannot 

 be done. But nothing must be overlooked, as it has 

 now been abundantly proved that the mosquito breeds 

 in most unexpected places, and intelligent direction 

 is therefore absolutely necessary ; for this reason, the 

 company have found that it is essential that the brigades 

 have at their head Europeans. The work must not be 

 left to the native alone. Naturally here more especi- 

 ally the co-operation of the householder is all- 

 important; time after time it has been pointed out 

 in the malarial reports of the Liverpool Committee 



