346 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., 'l/ 



erroneous assumption that the larvae were reproduced in the 

 stomach or intestines and not ingested from tirrie to time. 

 From the fact that larvae were passed for a month when 

 there was no chance of ingesting new supplies, would lead one 

 to conclude that the larvae may remain in the alimentary canal 

 for a considerable length of time. 



The peculiar rolling motion is undoubtedly the crawling of 

 the mass of mature larvae seeking to escape. The eating of 

 sugar or other sweets probably aggravates the larvae and 

 causes them to move about in an attempt to escape. The se- 

 vere attacks are usually followed by the passing of large num- 

 bers of maggots. The patient estimated the quantity of mag- 

 gots at fully a cup-full in severe cases. 



Since the trouble is undoubtedly due to repeated ingestion 

 of living larvae the fly deposits larvae rather than eggs the 

 protection of food or the heating of meats and vegetables 

 immediately before eating them should give complete relief. 

 Once the larvae are present in the alimentary canal, the tak- 

 ing of salts, oil, or other laxatives results in the discharge of 

 the larvae. The calling of a physician was usually delayed 

 until the last moment and in some cases the injection of an 

 opiate was necessary. 



A laxative taken as soon as the presence of the maggots in 

 the stomach is noted would probably relieve much of the later 

 trouble. The larvae are not affected either by salts or oil, but 

 both the mature and immature larvae are alive when passed. 

 The necessary oxygen is undoubtedly secured from the food 

 or the air taken in with the food. 



While it has not been possible to determine definitely just 

 how the larvae enter the alimentary tract of the patient, it 

 seems that they are undoubtedly ingested from time to time on 

 exposed cold and perhaps partly spoiled meats or vegetables. 

 They may remain in the alimentary tract several days and 

 when they are mature or approach maturity they bring on se- 

 vere cramping and in some cases spasms. Relief comes after 

 they have been discharged. The family will be kept under ob- 

 servation in order to determine more definitely how the larvae 

 are taken in and how long they feed in the alimentary tract. 



