PROTECTION FKOM BITES. 15 



opened. * * * There is abundant opportunity for the insect to get in between the 

 net and lower cross bar; in fact, there is no real protection at all. Where the netting 

 is fixed to the outside of its frame, so that there is no space between it and the lower 

 part of the sash, the insects nevertheless find their way in between the window sashes. 

 * * ■'^ It has been already said that the mosquitoes will, in certain seasons, attempt 

 to make their way through the screens, and they have less trouble with wire netting 

 than with any other because the meshes are even in size and the strands smooth. 

 Some of the fabrics used for nettings, especially of the cheaper grades, have the threads 

 so fuzzy that it is simply impossible for the mosquitoes to make their way through, 

 and they rarely even try it except where there is a tear, or where the threads have been 

 spread apart leaving an unusually large opening. Where an onslaught is made on wire 

 netting it can be checked by painting lightly with kerosene or oil of citronella. I have 

 tried both and found them successful. 



In addition to these mechanical difficulties it often happens that 

 the cellar and attic windows of houses are not screened. This is a 

 great mistake, since mosquitoes will enter these windows and pass the 

 winter in both cellars and attics. 



With regard to bed canopies there is reason for the greatest care. 

 There should be ample material to admit of a perfect folding of the 

 canopy under the mattress, and the greatest care should be taken to 

 keep the fabric well mended. It often happens in mosquito regions 

 that little care is taken of the bed nettings in the poorer hotels, and it 

 is necessary for perfect protection that a traveler in the Southern 

 States should carry with him a pocket housewife and should carefully 

 examine his bed netting every night, prepared to mend all tears and 

 expanded meshes. 



Veils and nettings for camping in the Tropics are absolute neces- 

 saries. Light frames are made to fit helmetlike over the head and 

 are covered with mosquito netting. Similar frames readily folded 

 into a compact form are made to form a bed covering at night, and 

 every camping outfit for work in tropical or malarial regions should 

 possess such framework and plenty of mosquito netting as an essen- 

 tial part of the outfit. 



An illustrated advertisement in lioss's admirable Mosquito Brigades 

 shows a folding-hood mosquito net especially for the use of travelers 

 when taking rest. This is 6| feet long, 4 feet wide, and 2 feet high. 

 It is a frame arrangement which can be opened by the traveler so 

 as to envelop himself when he is lying down. The frame is easily 

 carried in the hand, being only 40 inches long by 4 inches in diameter 

 when folded. There is also given an illustration of a small, compact 

 mosquito house for use by travelers while writing, reading, or taking 

 their meals. It is large enough to contain two persons seated, and 

 is constructed with a frame which is easily portable. The frames 

 are manufactured by a firm of surgical-instrument makers in Liver- 

 pool. No doubt other apparatus of the same kind is manufactured 

 and to be purchased at large outfitting establishments, such as 

 the army and navy stores in London. 



