156 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECOED. 



Mosquito-borne diseases (Washington: Health Dept. Canal Zone, 1914, pp. 

 ig), — ^ popular account issued by the Health Department for use in the 

 public schools of the Canal Zone. 



A clinical, pathological, and experimental study of the lesions produced 

 by the bite of the "black fly" (Simulium venustum), J. H. Stokes {Jour. 

 Cutaneous Diseases, S2 {1914), Nos. 11, pp. 751-769, figs. 5; 12, pp. 830-856, 

 pis. 3; abs. in Jour. Amer. Med. Assoc., 63 {19U), No. 22, p. 1981; 64 {1915), 

 No. 8, p. 274). — The first part of this paper consists of a brief account of 

 simulids, a review of the literature, and a description of the lesions with their 

 associated manifestations. The second part comprises studies of the pathology 

 of the lesions in man and experimental studies in the reproduction of the lesions 

 from preserved material, together with observations on the behavior of the 

 toxic agent. 



The temperature in a small child which was bitten by S. venustum 25 or more 

 times in one afternoon never went above normal, although the lymphadenitis 

 was marked and the child fretful and restless. It is stated that several persons 

 tinder the author's observation reported having felt "tired and stiff all over " 

 after being severely bitten by the flies early in the season. Nothing comparable 

 to the severe reactions described in the literature has come under the author's 

 observation. 



"A distinctive satellite adenopathy of the cervical glands develops In the 

 majority of susceptible persons within 48 hours after being bitten in the typical 

 sites. This adenopathy is marked, discrete, and painful, the glands often ex- 

 quisitely tender on pressure. It subsides without suppuration. Immunity may 

 be developed to all except the earliest manifestations by repeated exposures. 

 Such an immunity in natives of an infested locality is usually highly developed. 

 There are also apparently seasonal variations in the virulence of the fly and 

 variations in the reaction of the same individual to different bites." 



The experiments performed do not identify the nature of the toxic agent. 

 The theories suggested as to its nature are : (1) The toxin may be an alkaloidal 

 base, toxic as such, and neutralized after injection by antibodies produced for 

 the occasion by the body; (2) the injected saliva of the fly may not contain an 

 agent toxic as such, but, like many foreign proteins, becomes toxic only when 

 broken down; (3) lytic agents in the blood serum may play the chief role in 

 the liberation of the toxic agent from its nontoxic combination (to this view 

 the author is inclined) ; or (4) the initial injection of a foreign protein by the 

 fly at the first bite may sensitize the body to that protein. 



A list of references to the literature accompanies both parts. 



Proposal of new muscoid genera for old species, C. H. T. Townsend {Proc. 

 Biol. Soc. Wash., 28 {1915), pp. 19-23).— This paper relates to species of eco- 

 nomic importance. 



A maggot trap in practical use; an experiment in house-fly control, R. H. 

 Hutchison {U. 8. Dept. Agr. Bui. 200 {1915), pp. 15, pis. 3, figs. 4).— The 

 demonstration during the season of 1913 of a most pronounced migratory habit 

 of house-fly larvae just before pupation led to experiments with maggot traps, 

 which have shown that as high as 98 or 99 per cent of the larvre can be cap- 

 tured. The results of an attempt during the season of 1914 to apply the prin- 

 ciples of the maggot trap to practical use and to test its efficiency when used 

 to destroy maggots in large masses of manure are here reported. 



The maggot trap designed and constructed consisted of a concrete floor with 

 a concrete rim and a pipe in one corner through which water could be drained. 

 A wooden platform supported by legs was constructed over the floor, upon 

 which the stable litter could be thrown. Each day, after the addition of manure 



