ENTOMOLOGY

THE LIFE HISTORY AND CONTROL OF FLEAS 373Verjbitski, D. T., 1905.-The part played by insl!cts in the ep:demiologyof plague. Journ. Hyg., vol. S, p. 162.Waterston, J., 1916.-Fleas as a menace to man and domestic animals,their life history, habits, and control. British Museum (NaturalHistory) Economic Series No. 3;20 pp.NOTES ON THE CHIGOE, DERMATOPHILUS PENETRANSW. Dwight PierceMr. Bishopp has mentioned the chigoe in his lecture, but I believethis exceedingly interesting flea is deserving of a more extended statement.In South and Central America it is also known as La Nigua.It breeds in the flesh of man and animals, attacking the pig, cow, goat,sheep, horse, dog, cat, lion, and gorilla and probably other vertebrates.When the female is impregnated she attaches herself to the skin, boresin and remains stationary. When the eggs are mature they are eitherpassed out while the female is fixed to the skin, or the flea may becomedetached. The female while attached swells to a great size. The larvaebreed in dirt and pupate in a cocoon. The favorite points of attack areon the heels, balls of foot, palm of hand, and between the finger~, althoughthey attack other parts of the body.The attack is very painful, and in severe cases may result in ainhum,the loss of a member, especially a toe. Brumpt says this flea frequentlyinoculates the germs of tetanus, Bacillus tetani. This belief is also heldby Quiros, who notes the large number of cases of tetanus following niguaattack.In cases of heavy infestations Quiros uses a pomade composed asfollows:Salicylic acid~.5 grams.Ictiol (ichthyol)10.0Yellow vaseline1G..~ "In a few days the infested area encrusts and fall j off, leaving the skinfree from parasites.In cases which might lead to amputation Quiro'. hatiles in petroleum.He advises against the use of iodine, which is da'lgerous in these cases.Prevention of breeding, restriction of hogs 'rom wandering arou,ndhabitations, wearing 'of shoes" and cleanliness a.te prophylatic measures.