15 



the transmission of the disease. A species of Crithidia closely resembling 

 C. tabani was isolated from the hind-gut of this fly, but no parasites 

 were found in the salivary glands. The camels were noticed trying to 

 drive the fhes away by licking, thus infecting their lips with various 

 stages of the parasite. It is suggested that the parasite ingested by 

 the flies from the blood of the animals is a stage of Crithidia parasitic 

 in the fly, and when it comes in contact with the mucous membrane of 

 the mouth of the vertebrate host, it penetrates it and enters the 

 blood, assuming the trypanosome stage. Experiments to prove this 

 theory were interrupted, but their resumption is urged. 



Observations on trypanosomiasis of camels in various parts of the 

 world are reviewed ; from these it appears that Tabanids only act as 

 mechanical carriers, and that trypanosomes soon disappear from 

 their alimentary tracts. 



Owing to the enormous extent of the breeding areas the artificial 

 destruction of the early stages of these flies would be quite impossible, 

 but Chalcids parasitic on the eggs might be introduced with advantage. 

 All horses should be protected from the flies by housing in reed huts. 



Patton (W. S.). Some Notes on the Arthropods o! Medical and 

 Veterinary Importance in Mesopotamia, and on their Relation to 

 Disease. Part ii. Mesopotamian House Flies and their AUies.— 



Indian Jl. Med. Res., Calcutta, vii, no. 4, April 1920, pp. 13\-111, 

 4 plates, 6 figs. [Received 7th November 1920.] 



The house-flies described from Mesopotamia include Miisca 

 determinata, Wlk., the generations of which under favourable conditions 

 may succeed one another in from 72 to 90 hours. The eggs are laid 

 in excrement and decomposing matter. M. hiimilis, Wied., is widely 

 distributed and the early stages are very similar to those of M. 

 determinata. This species breeds in cow-dung and isolated patches 

 of human excreta. The eggs of M. mesopotamiensis, sp. n., are laid 

 singly in patches of cow-dung in the field. The larvae migrate some 

 distance and enter the ground for pupation. From puparia coUected 

 in October and November the adults emerged in March, hibernation 

 thus occurring in the pupal stage. Large numbers of these flies were 

 seen on camels feeding on the exudation from the eyes, or from sores 

 and lesions made by biting flies. 



M. tempestiva. Fall, probably breeds in cow-dung. This species 

 and M. vitripennis, Meig., are often seen on horses and cattle following 

 the biting flies to feed on the exuded blood. Other species recorded 

 include : — Philaematoniyia crassirostris, Stein {insignis, Aust.) ; 

 Stomoxys calcitrans, L. ; Lyperosia exigua, de Meij. ; L. minuta, Bez. ; 

 Calliphora erythrocephala, Macq. ; Chrysomyia (Pycnosoma) alhiceps, 

 Wied. ; Lucilia sericata, Meig. ; Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis, ¥., 

 and Wohlfahrtia meigeni, Schin. 



The destruction of breeding places and extermination of flies as 

 accomphshed at a camp in Mesopotamia are described. All refuse was 

 burnt, for which purpose closed incinerators are recommended. All 

 antiseptics such as borax, cresol, ferrous and ferric salts, etc., when 

 applied to the manure retard fermentation and thus prolong the 

 period for oviposition. As a result of experiments the biothermic 

 method of dealing with large quantities of equine manure is advocated 

 for use in the tropics. Anti-fly measures should be taken within five 

 days of removal of the manure from the stable, preferably on the 



