OF THE MALTESE ISLAlSfDS. 55 



Nets. — The use of ordinary mosquito uets is of no avail against the bites of 

 these pests, as they readily pass through the meshes, and attack persons just 

 as freely as if nets were not used ; but if they could be rendered repulsive to 

 the insects by spraying them with formol or other repellents, as has been 

 suggested, so much the better ; but experiments in this direction must be 

 conducted before we can say definitely that such a method would prove effectual. 

 Fine nets made of strong chiffon or other similar material would undoubtedly 

 prevent the approach of these flies, but the use of such nets would render 

 sleeping almost impossible in the hot weather unless electric fans were used 

 at the same time. If such preventive measures as these could be employed to 

 the complete satisfaction and comfort of patients in hospitals, especially those 

 suffering from the Papataci fever, or to the community in general, we shall have 

 succeeded in devising an excellent prophylactic measure. If a net of this type is 

 used, it should have a strip of calico about two-and-half feet in width stitched all 

 round the bottom, so that at least 12 inches of it extends above the bedding, the 

 remainder to be tucked in under the mattress. The use of this is obvious ; the 

 strip above the bedding would prevent the flies from biting any portion of 

 the body which might be brought into contact with it, and the lower portion 

 of it would stand the strain of " tucking-in," and consequently last for a very 

 much longer time than such flimsy material as chiffon. 



Destruction of hreeding-grounds. — As to the operations necessary for reducing 

 the number of breeding-places, it is perfectly obvious that we can never expect 

 to be able to deal with these in any of the rural districts, owing to the fact that 

 the fields and roads extending over the whole of the country are bounded by 

 stone walls, and elsewhere there are fissured rocks, caves, and other suitable 

 places which afford just the right conditions necessary for the breeding of 

 Papataci flies. On the other hand, we may reasonably hope to reduce them in 

 the principal centres of population, if persistent effoi'ts are made to accomplish 

 this, and the financial considerations do not prohibit the employment of such 

 methods as are herein suggested. If it should be considered advisable to carry 

 out any section of this part of the propaganda, one of the smallest and most 

 isolated of the infested areas should be chosen as an experimental ground, and an 

 ofEcer who is thoroughly acquainted with the habits of the insects should be 

 appointed to direct the opei'ations. If loose rubble walls exist in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of the selected area, these should be either demolished and the 

 materials removed, or they should be completely covered with a thick layer of 

 cement. 



If such a type of wall exists as has the jointings partly filled with plaster 

 (" pozzolani "), then all openings and fissures should be carefully filled in with 

 cement, so that no holes are left for the ingress or egress of the flies, 

 remembering always that a crevice sufficiently large to admit a flea will also 

 afford ample space for the admission of the fly. 



If it should be found necessary to replace the old walls with new ones, it is 

 imperative that these should be built of solid masonry to a height of at least two 

 feet above the level of the soil on either side, as it is the lower portions of the 

 walls that are, according to Captain Marett's experience, selected as breeding- 

 places ; but it would be better, in my opinion, to make all new walls of solid 



