Or 
Or 
OF THE MALTESE ISLANDS. 
Nets.—The use of ordinary mosquito nets 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 breeding-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 efforts 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 
officer who is thoroughly acquainted with the habits of the insects should be 
appointed to direct the operations. 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 
