a handbook of the mosquitoes of north america - Systematic Catalog ...

46 RELATION TO WELFARE
(4) Reduction in land values, real
excessive abundance of mosquitoes.
DIRECT IRRITATION
estate, etc., due to the
To many persons the bites of mosquitoes are only a tem-
porary annoyance; others do not notice their bites; while many
people suffer greatly even from a few bites. The number of
people who appear almost immune to mosquito attacks is
probably not large and this immunity may be confined to the
bites of mosquitoes present in their region. Other species of
mosquitoes may cause them great inconvenience. As this phase
of the mosquito problem has never been sufficiently stressed,
I desire to call particular attention to it, especially at this time
when so much emphasis is placed on living out-of-doors to con-
serve our health. Mosquitoes probably affect young children,
particularly babies, more than we know. There is no definite
data on this point but it deserves careful attention. To many
people the bites are very severe, causing swellings, severe itch-
ing, followed by incessant scratching and the formation of
pustules. This is followed by restlessness, loss of sleep, nerv-
ous irritation and a determination to avoid mosquito areas at
all costs. In many persons, the lesions caused by mosquito
bites remain for months and retain that itching sensation. As
mosquitoes, other than Anophelines, are generally regarded
only as temporary nuisances, most of us cannot enjoy the out-
of-doors during the summer season. Our gardens, parks, re-
sorts of all kinds, camp sites, whole areas of the country, etc.,
are deserted by the less hardy and they retire to screened
houses, or if fortunate, to screened porches. Thus many per-
sons are unable to enjoy the benefits of the open air and store
up health for the more rigorous season. In some sections the
onslaught of a mosquito outbreak may cause the stoppage of
almost all outdoor work, and where this occurs frequently
prevents the development of those districts. This phase of
the mosquito problem should be more emphasized in public
health work.