" Now, however, thanks to bacteri ological science, which has made so much progress in the last few years, it has been established that certain microbes become pathogenic for small gnawing animals by giving them a disease peculiar to their species. • " This first fact thus made clear, we have undertaken to perfect the work already done in this direction, and have at last succeeded in prepar ing a product which we call ' Ratite' and which, when swallowed by rats and mice, gives them a disease not only fatal but contagious, while, being peculiar to their species, it is quite harmless to all other animals.
" Ratite' thus possesses two big advantages over the means of de struction employed up to the pres ent, viz.: (1) "It is absolutely harmless to man, domestic animals, and game of all kind (feathered or otherwise). It can thus be utilized everywhere, in private houses, farms, stables, fowl runs, kennels, pheasantries, etc., without danger of any accident.
(2) " Not only does it act as sim ple poison by killing the rat or mouse which swallows it, but it con tinues its work by contagion, inas much as one of these rodents, hav ing swallowed the Ratite,' not only catches the fatal disease but becomes an infecting agent among its com panions, communicating it by simple contact.
" Lastly. The application of Rat ite' being at once simple and with out danger (see directions for use) in addition to its real efficacy, will in sure its being preferred to all other systems of destruction employed up to the present.
" Directions for Use.—Pour out the virus in a clean basin, and cut up small cubes of bread (pref erably crust) of about 1 c.c. Well soak the bread until it has thor oughly absorbed the liquid, taking care that the bread does not become too pulpy.
" Coarse oatmeal or Quaker Oats,' which readily absorb liquid, may be used instead of bread, and this vehi cle is recommended for large areas.
" Both the preparation and distri bution of bait should be carried out in the evening and spread about in places frequented by rodents—as far al possible in their holes. Six to eight days after distribution of the bait its effects will be apparent, but should any rodents remain after fif teen days, a second application should be made at once. The best results are obtained by one application of a given quantity of virus rather than by extending it gradually over u lon ger period.
" The virus should be used within twenty days of its preparation, which is marked on the bottle, and if not employed immediately should be kept in a dry, dark, and cool place (a cellar, for instance).
" It will be noticed that the bot tles are not full, the empty space being necessary for its preparation.
" The odor of this virus is no sign of deterioration.
" The operator should have his hands free from cuts or sores, and wash them well after preparing and distributing the bait." We would recommend that if other means prove ineffective " Ratite " be given a trial.