The FlyThe Fly

the varieties of flies vs. that small yet blood-sucking mosquitothe varieties of flies vs. that small yet blood-sucking mosquito

frogs jump to catch their choice delicacy; the mosquito - frogs jump to catch their choice delicacy; the mosquito - but will consume many flying insects which get in reach of its jump.but will consume many flying insects which get in reach of its jump.

spiders catch any of these in their silken webs; to consume bit by bit.spiders catch any of these in their silken webs; to consume bit by bit.

do you see the frog in these photographs?; do you see the frog in these photographs?;

the frog’s camouflage changes to blend with surrounding objectsthe frog’s camouflage changes to blend with surrounding objects

Blow FlyBlow Fly

Blow FlyBlow Fly

Dung or Flesh FlyDung or Flesh Fly

Flesh FlyFlesh Fly

Sarcophaga carnariaSarcophaga carnaria

Robber or Empid FlyRobber or Empid Fly

Flesh FlyFlesh Fly

Blue Bottle - Blow FlyBlue Bottle - Blow Fly

Blue Bottle - Blow FlyBlue Bottle - Blow Fly

Benjamin Rush discoveryBenjamin Rush discoveryInsects once were considered the cause of yellow fever, and other diseases. Rush studied where the habitats of Insects once were considered the cause of yellow fever, and other diseases. Rush studied where the habitats of

mosquitos, and other insects, were and which persons might come in contact with these; he determined there was no mosquitos, and other insects, were and which persons might come in contact with these; he determined there was no correlation.correlation.

By 4 August 1802, in the Philadelphia Gazette, an article was published proclaiming Rush’s discoveries: By 4 August 1802, in the Philadelphia Gazette, an article was published proclaiming Rush’s discoveries: ““Reading your extract from Reading your extract from Recollections relative to EgyptRecollections relative to Egypt, published this morning, has induced me to communicate the , published this morning, has induced me to communicate the

result of some enquiries I made some time since concerning the yellow fever, plague, &c. I have long been of the result of some enquiries I made some time since concerning the yellow fever, plague, &c. I have long been of the opinion those diseases were produced by minute insects depositing their eggs in the pores of the human body, and opinion those diseases were produced by minute insects depositing their eggs in the pores of the human body, and that the critical days were occasioned by the changes of the insect from the egg to the maggot, from the maggot to the that the critical days were occasioned by the changes of the insect from the egg to the maggot, from the maggot to the torpid crisalis, and from thence to the fly, at which time it deserts the body leaving its shell, which must be thrown out torpid crisalis, and from thence to the fly, at which time it deserts the body leaving its shell, which must be thrown out by perfuse perspiration or death will ensue; warm baths are known to be of great service by (perhaps) assisting nature by perfuse perspiration or death will ensue; warm baths are known to be of great service by (perhaps) assisting nature in discharging the cause of the disease: As I am but an observer of nature it is not necessary to enter further into the in discharging the cause of the disease: As I am but an observer of nature it is not necessary to enter further into the subject - neither is it at this critical moment necessary to dispute upon the cause from whence springs this evil so justly subject - neither is it at this critical moment necessary to dispute upon the cause from whence springs this evil so justly dreaded by our citizens - whether from gases or the ‘living cloud of pestilence,’ already have I said enough to bring dreaded by our citizens - whether from gases or the ‘living cloud of pestilence,’ already have I said enough to bring upon me a living cloud of diplomatic gentlemen.”upon me a living cloud of diplomatic gentlemen.”

He then continued with the facts as he had observed: He then continued with the facts as he had observed: • ““Not a butcher or butcher's boy has had a louse in their heads, or any other species of insects on their bodies since Not a butcher or butcher's boy has had a louse in their heads, or any other species of insects on their bodies since

they attended the markets regularly!they attended the markets regularly!• During the last fever, not one butcher died who attended market constant!During the last fever, not one butcher died who attended market constant!• The lamplighters have not been infected with any kind of vermin, since they commenced that oily occupation!The lamplighters have not been infected with any kind of vermin, since they commenced that oily occupation!• Not a single lamplighter died during the last fever, although exposed to the night air, and particularly to the disease! Not a single lamplighter died during the last fever, although exposed to the night air, and particularly to the disease!

whereas, nearly all the silent watch were taken off.whereas, nearly all the silent watch were taken off.• I believe it is currently known, that none of the oil or colour men died in London during the plague. What are we to infer I believe it is currently known, that none of the oil or colour men died in London during the plague. What are we to infer

from the foregoing? that oil is a preventative, and perhaps a cure. Insects breath throught their sides, consequently a from the foregoing? that oil is a preventative, and perhaps a cure. Insects breath throught their sides, consequently a small quantity of oil destroys them.small quantity of oil destroys them.

• In the holy scriptures we notice the practice of anointing with oils, and those countries were subject to malignant In the holy scriptures we notice the practice of anointing with oils, and those countries were subject to malignant diseases, occasioned by a superabundance of animal life. “Oils were poured into the wounds of the afflicted” witness diseases, occasioned by a superabundance of animal life. “Oils were poured into the wounds of the afflicted” witness the Samaritan; religious customs were established by a wise administration, for useful purposes, and I have not the the Samaritan; religious customs were established by a wise administration, for useful purposes, and I have not the least doubt but this was one. What is the principle ingredient in all our salves? is it not oil? Butter will immediately least doubt but this was one. What is the principle ingredient in all our salves? is it not oil? Butter will immediately remove warts.remove warts.

• I therefore would recommend constant use of olive oil at our tables, bathe frequently and annointing with this I therefore would recommend constant use of olive oil at our tables, bathe frequently and annointing with this inoffensive substance, the superabundance may be wiped off with a coarse towel, this mode will not be disagreeable inoffensive substance, the superabundance may be wiped off with a coarse towel, this mode will not be disagreeable or expensive, cannot do any injury, may prevent and possibly even cure the disease. Is it not worthy of some tryals?”or expensive, cannot do any injury, may prevent and possibly even cure the disease. Is it not worthy of some tryals?”