Twelfth Report op the State Entomologist 325 



has been as much tearing of tissues in such a case as the above men- 

 tioned, as there is, when Culex settles on a place rich in blood, and, 

 with a single probing, draws its fill. The amount of poisonous efTect 

 upon me, as proved by numerous experiments, is in direct proportion to 

 the length of time the Culex has occu[)ied in actually drawing blood. 

 The above-mentioned facts would indicate a constant outpouring of 

 some sort of poisonous fluid during the blood-sucking process." 



Palliatives of the Bite. 

 Various applications have been recommended and are employed to 

 alleviate the effects of the bite, such as vinegar, lavender water, salt and 

 water, spirits of camphor, ammonia, etc. Pressing the puncture and 

 forcing out some of the blood, and with it the injected poison, has also 

 been prescribed, but beyond doubt the best method that may be adopted 

 is the following : When the bite is first felt, resist the natural impulse to 

 crush the creature and stoically endure the trifling pain, while you add 

 to the stock of your entomological knowledge by critically observing the 

 extreme delicacy and the entire modus operandi of the performance, 

 particularly noting the disposition made of the sheath while the contained 

 case of instruments are being buried in the flesh. A brief period of 

 forbearance will suffice to fill the abdomen of the skillful phlebotomist 

 to its utmost capacity — the gradual enlargement and the deep purpling 

 of which through its thin and distended walls you may watch. The fill 

 obtained, the lancets will be leisurely withdrawn and repacked in their 

 case, and with the prolonged draught taken through them most of the 

 injected poison will have been withdrawn. If you are not able at this 

 juncture to say with Sterne's Uncle Toby, " go, poor insect, the world is 

 wide enough for you and me," then, if your study has failed to repay you, 

 revenge yourself in her death as she assays with her stolen burden to fly 

 slowly away. If you terminate her existence while the lancets are buried 

 in your flesh, their barbed ends together with most of the poison will 

 remain in the wound to irritate and exact of you the penalty of a wasted 

 opportunity and an unscientific proceeding. You might, at least, if you 

 feel that you have no contribution to make to Madame, intimate to her 

 by a gentle touch of the finger, that it would be quite as agreeable to you 

 if she would present that little bill somewhere else. A million lessened 

 by one, would aid but slightly in the extermination of the species in your 

 immediate vicinity. 



