Injurious to Man. 35 



Genus — Argas, Latr. 



Argas reflexus, Fischer. 



The Pigeon-Tick. 



Numerous instances of Argas reflexus biting human beings 

 have been recorded. These cases always occur in rooms or attics 

 situated near places where pigeons are kept, and are due either to 

 the destruction of the pigeons, depriving the ticks of the proper 

 nourishment, thus causing them to seek it elsewhere, or to the ticks 

 increasing so greatly in numbers that it is necessary for them to 

 migrate in all directions. Sometimes the bite has slight effect on 

 the victim or only causes a swelling or papule at the point bitten. 

 Often, however, its sets up itching and oedematous swelling of a 

 limb, or even of the whole body, and an urticarious eruption may 

 also break out. The accounts given below will serve as examples 

 of the mischief caused by the pigeon-tick. 



For several years pigeons were kept in one of the wings of the 

 Chateau du Vernet, near Brout-Vernet (Allier), France. Owing 

 to the appearance of Argas reflexus in large numbers in the nests 

 and to the consequent deterioration of the young birds through 

 loss of blood, it was decided to get rid of the pigeons. This was 

 done, and every effort was made to destroy the Acari as well. In 

 spite of every care, however, specimens were met with from time to 

 time at night walking on the walls of the pigeon-house, which 

 was situated on the second floor of the chateau. The ticks found 

 their way into the neighbouring bedrooms occupied by the 

 servants, and annoyed them to such a degree that they asked for 

 their rooms to be changed. Members of the family, including 

 H. du Buysson himself, from whose narrative these details are 

 taken, were badly bitten by the parasite. Du Buysson states 

 that if his arm was bitten it became numbed and stiffened as if 

 affected by cramp, and various general symptoms also developed, 

 such as fever, swelling of the lips and eyelids, itching eruption on 

 the body, etc. In 1908 it was found necessary to close a school 

 at La Chapelle, near Vichy, in France, which was infested by 

 this tick. Pigeons had been kept above the school-room by a 

 former master, but were killed and eaten before he left. The new 

 master (M. Bletry) was greatly troubled by the ticks, their bites 

 setting up large phlegmons, and he became seriously ill. Pupils 

 also were attacked by the ticks, even in the daytime, and 

 they suffered from abscesses. Finally it became necessary to 



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