The Seaforth News, 1952-07-03, Page 3Creepy Crt.*lies
Mr. Dred Waterhouse, lecturer in
the Zoology Department of Dundee
University College, has compiled a
formidable list of creepy-crawly
stowaways found on ships being
unloaded in British ports.
They include tree -climbing
lizards, scorpions, mosquitoes,
tarantula spiders, praying mantis,
canal tats, beetles, poisonous
snakes, and large-sized cockroaches.
Usually they sneak aboard in
foreign ports where the weather
is warmer than here, and are often
dead when discovered because of
our more stringent climate.
Most "popular" ships for these
unwanted visitors are the banana
boats which offer tempting accom-
modation inside the banana crates,
One dock labourer at Manchester
fauncl a live snake which offered
no protest when he curled it up in-
side his cap. Then he took it along
to Manchester University and
proudly displayed it to a zoologist,
The zoologist took one look at
it, hurled the cap and its contents
into the nearest sink, and told the
labourer he was lucky to be alive,
The snake was a krait, a venomous
small snake common in India,
Eagles, Too 1
With the exception of the cobra,
it is believed to kill more human
beings than any other snake.
Scorpions often steal a free pas-
sage among the cargo, and there
have been occasions when dockers
have refused to unload ships be-
lieved to contain such creatures,
The tail of the scorpion bears a
venomous sting which can inflict a
serious wound, but it is rarely fatal
to a than in good health, But dock-
ers have had to be taken to hospital
for treatment after being attacked
by scorpions.
"Last Post" For Men In Gray—The Confederate Army of America
has been dissolved because of the extreme feebleness of the
seven surviving members of the once -proud legion. Meeting for the
last lime, Gen. William D, Townsend, 106, left, and Gen. William
Bush, also 106„ right, recall memories of old campaigns for
Marilyn Padgett. The two old soldiers were the only ones able to
make the last encampment.
Thouglt,„•the list of illegal animal
and insect immigrants is compre-
hensive, It does not include eagles.
Yet not long ago a crested eagle
from South America was discover-
ed in the hold of a ship unloading
in San Francisco. It probably flew
inside when the hatch -covers were
off during loading to pounce on a
rat,
Do farm animals and house pets
ever get polio? And can such ani-
mals transmit the dread disease to
human beings?
* *
These are questions of great im-
portance; and here are some an-
swers from Miss Lee Barach, of
New York's famous "National
Foundation for Infantile Paraly-
sis'.
e
During the sumtiter When the
greatest number of polio cases are
reported, people are often concern-
ed about animals carrying polio.
The farmer who may have a variety
of livestock and several children is
particularly interested in the rela-
tionship between animal diseases
and polio.
At one time, farm animals were
suspected polio carriers. March of
Dimes -supported scientists, alert to
every clue that may lead to a
method of controlling this epidemic
disease, set out to determine if
there was any relationship between
animal paralysis and human pa-
ralysis from polio. They found that
several animal diseases look sus-
piciously like polio.
* * *
Scientists watched chickens with
range paralysis stagger- around
.only to fall with stiffened, paralyz-
ed legs or drooping, powerless,
wings. They noted the remarkable
resemblance to trol:o paralysis in
people. After careful study, it was
deterininerl that the pathological
changes produced in chickens with
range paralysis are not the sane
as those occurring in human
nervous system as a result of polio
A Nose For Clues --In a deep re-
flective mood, Jimmy Duranle
chews a cigar under his Sher-
lock Holmes hat just before leav-
ing Southampton, Eng 1 o n d,
aboard the Queen Mary. After
ca series of ,sfage appearances
in Britain, the famous comedian
was reported to have an-
nounced that everything was
"elementary, my dear Watson."
and the two diseases were separat=
ed.
* *
Domestic rabbits niay get spastic
paralysis—head down disease—
which looks like polio. But—rabbits
are quickly cured when given more
leafy green vegetables or food con-
taining added. Vitamin A. Unfor-
tunately, polio is not a vitamin
deficiency disease and cannot he
cured in this simple way.
* * *
Cattle also suffer from several
kinds of paralyses that look like
human polio. Pregnant cows oc-
casionally get paralysis of the bind
quarters from feeds deficient in
proteins and ash. Deposits of heel
fly larvae on the backs of cows
can paralyze by penetrating the
spinal cord and injtiring the nerves
controlling the legs. Since the
cause of polio is known to be a
virus, polio is in no way related
to these paralyses.
* * *
These are just a few examples
of the many animal diseases in-
vestigated by scientists. After in-
tensive study they concluded that
animals do not get and cannot
transmit polio to people. Their re-
search points to man 'himself as
the major carrier of polio virus.
* * *
At the present time, there is no
miracle method for stopping polio
which is' now striking an average
number of 30,000 children and
young adults each year. But a
great many facts are now known
about this disease and there is
more substantial hope that a way
to protect people against paralysis
from polio may soon be found.
* ' *
It is- known today that not
everyone who is infected with polio
virus gets tate paralyzing form of
the disease. Scientists estimate
that for every one person who de-
velops a diagnosed case of polio,
there are about out hundred people
who carry the virus with no harm
to themselves but may transmit it
to others. It is through such mild
infections with the virus that most
people are able to build up a re-
sistance to polio.
* 9 *
S`gnitlrantly, nl all repos ted
eases cavil year, fully 50% recover
completely. Thirty per cent may
Maes minor -impairments that do
nil seriously interfere with their
normal activities. Seventeen per
cent are severely paralyzed and
must depend on modern methods
of (reatuent and surgery to return
to a more active Fie; only 8% clie.
* * *
Until polio is brought into line
with other controllable diseases,
the National Foundation for lufan.
tile Paralysis provides us with
simple: precautions to kelp protect
health during epidemic periods.
Their reeommendothins, pertaining
to all, include:
* * *
C'vn1inuc. assuc atian with your
own friends but avoid malting new
contacts during polio outbreaks.
C)nce polio has appeared itt a conn
'ounity, scientists stay the virus
probably is widespread. You and
your neighbors may have come in
contact with it already and devel-
oped a degree of resistance to the
virus prevalent in your area.
* * *
Keep clean; wash hands thor-
oughly before eating. Bands may
carry polio infection into the body
through the mouth.
* * *
Don't get chilled from bathing
too long in cold water, working or
sitting around in wet clothes if
caught in a sudden rain storm.
Don't get over -tired from hard
play, strenuous work or travel. Re-
search has indicated that chilling
and physical exertion seem to
lower resistance to polio virus once
it has entered the body.
(74
1JNDAY SCllOO
LESSON
13y Rev. 12. B Warren. 8,A.. B.D.
At The Thine Of The Judges
Judges 2:8-17; 21:25.
Memory Selection: Blessed is the
nation whose God is the Lord.
Psalm 33:12.
The lessons of this quarter re-
sume the study of the history of
Israel and extend from the begin-
ning of the period of the judges
to the end of. Solomon's reign.
These lessons reveal the slow and
gradual steps whereby the early
chaotic conditions were changed to
those of a strong central govern-
ment.
Joshua died and also the gener-
ation that followed him. The next
generation which had not witnessed
the mighty deeds done under the
leadership of Moses and Joshua
drifted into sin, The sin of Israel
lay primarily in their failure to
drive out the pagan inhabitants of
their inheritance (1;27-33; 2:1-3),
and secondarily in intermarrying
and worshipping with these idol-
atrous nations (3:5-7), The servi-
tude of Israel lay in their subjec-
tion to and oppression by the very
nations they had previously con-
quered (2:14-15). The supplication
of Israel was on their remembrance
of and return to the God of their
fathers. The salvation of Israel
was effected by means of leaders
whom God raised up to meet the
emergency. While they were called
judges they were really leaders who
gathered and directed military forc-
es. We have the cycle of sin, ser-
vitude, supplication and salvation
repeated several times in this period
of about 300 years. A few years
after a great deliverance the chil-
dren of Israel would do evil again
in the sight of the Lord. Servi-
tude, supplication and salvation
would - again follow.
Alas, many of the nations to -day
are forgetting God. While we are
still free front the scourge of com-
munism we are certainly slaves to
fear, It is time to pray and tura
to God lest greater evilcomes
upon us. Kipliag's Recessional
rightly leaves its warning: "Lord
God of hosts,. be with us yet, lest
we forget, lest we forget!"
WEATHER SKIPS
The international agreement ill
accordance with the terms of which
twenty-five ships are maintained
in the North Atlantic on weather
patrol duty has been extended for
another year. The twenty-five ships
maintain service at ten ocean sta-
tions located according to their
importance in weather forecasting.
The ships provide navigational as-
sistance and search and rescue ser-
vices if necessary to aircraft fly-
ing between Europe and North
America.
(1,
G EEN
THUMB
Gordon Soil1i
Why Cultivate
Weed killing is only minor rea-
son for cultivation. The main pur-
pose is to put the soil in condition
that favors growth of the flowers
and vegetables we plant. Most
soils, especially the heavier sorts,
if left uncultivated will pack down
so hard that plants either good or
bad have little chance to flourish.
Cultivation keeps them open, breaks
up the hard lumps and lets in nec-
essary air, In time, cultivation alone
will greatly improve the texture of
soil, though the addition of humus
and fertilizer will speed the pro-
cess. Experts usually cultivate their
gardens, both flower and vegetable,
once a week during the main grow-
ing season, that is from the time
the soil is fit to work in the spring
until, say, mid-July. This weekly
cultivation is not much of a chore
after the first digging or plowing
in the spring. Much of it can be
accomplished simply by dragging
a cultivator (either hand or tractor
powered) over the ground lightly.
Weeds du not get much of a
chance to grow big in a week,
though they wilt be a lot tougher
to handle if left undisturbed muck
longer than that. It is really amaz-
ing how growth spurts along after
a good cultivation. Especially la
this true if the job- is done after a
shower. Theft it 801 only lo�sen.t
the ground but it also very meter -
laity conterves moisture by edteek-
ing evaporation.
* * *
A healthy Garden
In pioneer days, it is true, so far
as gardens were concerned, there
were not nearly as many brigs
lurking around as is the case to-
day. These things increased as the
country opened up, and if they
didn't originate in Canada they soon
hitch -hiked here. Today we are
literally surrounded by all sorts of
things that will quickly ravage the
garden unless we are on the alert.
But it is not difficult to have
fine flowers and crisp vegetables
even with all their enemies. The
first care should be to keep the
garden in healthy condition. A well -
cultivated, well -fertilized plant is
the first and main defense.
Of course specific bugs and di-
seases will require specific counter
measures. Fortunately modern sef-
ence has kept well abreast of the
new troubles. Careful gardeners
will always be on the watch for
any attack, will examine any da-
mage like wilted or partially des-
troyed or eaten leaves, will regard
with suspicion any sudden check.
Careful gardeners will also sup-
ply themselves with some sort of
a duster or sprayer and the proper
materials to go with then. There
is all sorts of equipment available.
and for the small garden it is not
necessary to spend more than a
dollar or two.
As a general rule, insects that
eat the foliage are attacked with
a poison such as DDT, arsenate of
lead, etc., while those that suck out
the juices like aphids and other
plant lice are controlled with pre-
parations incorporating nicotine or
tobacco solutions, lime, sulphur or
special soap. Finely ground sulphur
dust is an excellent preventive for
diseases like rust.
BUILDING A HOUSE STILL COSTS PLENTY C
COMPARED TO THE "GOOD OLD DAYS 4
' N A ld�w�ha
a
Tough Below The Border Too—The high cost of building is a sub-
ject which interests well, 'most everybody these days; end
although the figures given in these photos and pitta -charts refer
to conditions in the U.S.A., we feel that many Canadians will be
interested in seeing that our neighbors south of the Border, faced
with the problem of building a home, are up against a tough
proposition—"even as you and 1."
teS2
Why Roof Is Raised On Building Costs—Increase in wages in the
building industry is one of the important factors in the high cost
of housing today, according to the National Association of Horne
Builders. Newschart above shows average wage rates of four
representative building trades, and how they have increased from
December, 1939, to February, 1952.
1." Int :ass