Methods and Results of Mosquito Work in New York City 



Eugene Winship 

 Sanitary Engineer, Department of Health, Nezv York City 



By request of Dr. Headlee, and instructed by Dr. Royal S. Cope- 

 land, Health Commissioner, City of New York, to represent the 

 Department at this convention, it is my privilege to present for your 

 consideration the activities of the Mosquito Extermination Division 

 for the year 1919. 



A number of the delegates present are aware that I have been 

 actively engaged in this work since the year 1900; in other words, 

 have passed through the experimental and pioneer stages, and have 

 done my little bit in nursing the suckling through the intervening 

 years to a full grown adult which wih not be denied. Despite the 

 unbelievers in the efficiency of this work, the critics, the attitude of 

 the press and the public in general, there are a number present at 

 this convention who persevered, resulting in a movement that is 

 widespread, in fact covering the entire civilized globe, and which is 

 of incalcuable benefit to mankind. 



The year 1919 we found to be a most unfavorable one in most 

 respects in relation to the breeding of mosquitoes in Greater New 

 York. The continual heavy rainfalls during the summer months 

 caused innumerable breeding places and mosquitoes were in evi- 

 dence in sections heretofore immune. Despite this physical condi- • 

 tion the results obtained from years of hard work in Greater New 

 York were not materially affected, because of the fact that the sani- 

 tary force was employed to handle this unusual condition with 

 favorable results. 



The foregoing applies only to domestic breeding. In relation to the 

 salt-marsh area it gives me considerable pleasure to state that on the 

 25,000 acres in our Greater City we experienced no breeding with 

 the exception of two small areas in the Borough of Brooklyn, and one 

 location in the Borough of Richmond, known as Rowlands Hook, 

 ■or Port Ivory, of which the New Jersey authorities are equally well 

 aware, as it seems to be a favorite scouting place for New Jersey 

 tnosquito employees. We welcome these inspections, and I can 

 assure you that the department is not to blame for these conditions, 

 since our drainage system has been obstructed by large interests 

 pending permanent improvement. The recurrence of breeding in the 



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