Typhus Fever and Pediculidce 
237 
disassoeiation of the spirochsete into granules as simply the first 
phase, not of a process of multiplication, but of a degeneration 
ending in the death of the parasite. The fragmented chromatin 
has lost its affinity for stains, remaining always paler than that of 
the normal spirochastes. On the other hand, the granules of Leish- 
man stain energetically with all the basic stains. 
Further, according to Marchoux and Couvy, infection takes 
place without the emission of the coxal fluid and indeed, soiling of the 
host by the coxal fluid diluting the excrement is exceptional. All 
of the organs of the Argasid are invaded by the parasites, but they 
pass from the coelom into the acini of the salivary glands and collect 
in its efferent canal. The saliva serves as the vehicle of infection. 
Thus, the question of the life cycle of Spirochceta gallinarum , and 
of spirochsetes in general, is an open one. 
It should be noted that Argas persicus, the carrier of Spirochceta 
gallinarum, is a common pest of poultry in the southwestern United 
States. Though the disease has not been reported from this counting 
conditions are such that if accidentally introduced, it might do great 
damage. 
Other Spirochaete Diseases of Animals About a score of other 
blood inhabiting spirochastes have been reported as occurring in 
mammals, but little is known concerning their life-histories. One 
of the most important is Spirochceta theileri which produces a spiro- 
chastosis of cattle in the Transvaal. Theiler has determined that it 
is transmitted by an Ixodid tick, Margaropus decoloratus. 
Typhus Fever and Pediculidce 
Typhus is an acute, and continued fever, formerly epidemically 
prevalent in camps, hospitals, jails, and similar places where persons 
were crowded together under insanitary conditions. It is accom¬ 
panied by a characteristic rash, which gives the disease the common 
name of “spotted” or “lenticular” fever. The causative organism 
is unknown. 
Typhus fever has not generally been supposed to occur in the 
United States, but there have been a few outbreaks and sporadic 
cases recognized. According to Anderson and Goldberger (1912a), 
it has been a subject of speculation among health authorities why, 
in spite of the arrival of occasional cases in this country and of many 
persons from endemic foci of the disease, typhus fever apparently 
does not gain a foothold in the United States. These same workers 
