43 



The emulsion made from the sahvary glands of Argas persicus 

 does not change colour on exposure to air, but when mixed with 

 blood, the latter becomes of a cherry red colour. The emulsion from 

 the sahvary glands of recently fed (5 days) ticks only contains a 

 feeble anticoagulin, but if a longer time (10 days) is allowed to elapse, 

 it becomes much more powerful. 



Small quantities of the emulsion of the salivary glands of A . jamesi 

 and A. rossi injected into the human skin cause small hyperaemic 

 patches, probably due to the blocking of capillaries by the agglu- 

 tinated red corpuscles. The secretions from the ovoid salivary glands 

 of the bed-bug and of Conorhinus rubrofasciatus probably cause the 

 irritation following the bites of these insects. 



The structure of the mouth-parts of the blood-sucking Muscidae, 

 especially of the haematophagous species of Musca and of Philaemat- 

 omyia, has led to the hypothesis that they have evolved from a Musca- 

 like ancestor, which receives strong support from a study of the secre- 

 tions of the salivary glands and the mid-guts of these flies. 



Shipley (A. E.). Insects and War. — Brit. Med. JL, London, nos. 

 2803-2811, 19th September— 14th November 1914, pp. 497-599, 

 527-529, 568-569, 614-616, 662-664, 705-707, 750-752, 784-786, 

 830-831, 52 figs. 



This is a series of articles on parasitic insects and arachnids, which 

 are likely to cause discomfort or disease under field-service conditions, 

 and the best and simplest methods of controlling them. 



Lice a.re dealt with at some length and it is pointed out that Pediculus 

 capitis is of less importance in war time than P. hominis (vestimenti). 

 Certain heads of advice are given for the soldiers' benefit, the most 

 important of which are : — To examine the body frequently for louse 

 bites and to avoid sleeping in places in which lousy persons have 

 previously slept. To avoid infestation, the clothing should be changed 

 as frequently as possible, for lice, if without food for a week or less, 

 usually die of starvation ; all infested clothing should be burnt, 

 buried or immersed for some time in w^ater ; the lice themselves may 

 be killed by applying petrol, paraffin, turpentine or xylol ; if the head 

 be infested, rubbing with benzine will kill them. As the lice generally 

 congregate in seams and folds of clothing, this should be turned inside 

 out and the seams exposed to heat or to a jet of steam from a kettle 

 01 boiler, or pressed with a hot flat-iron. Soldiers should be informed 

 that lice have been shown to be the carriers of typhus and rscurrent 

 fever and should be warned against scratching the skin and thus 

 bringing about infection. 



Bed-bugs and fleas are described and the usual methods of ridding 

 premises of them are given, and it is pointed out that the eggs of the 

 flea are not laid on the host but in cracks and cievices in boaids. 



The damage done to biscuits by EjyJiestia kiiknieUa and Corcyra 

 cephcdonica is explained and the results of Durrant and Beveridge's 

 investigations are given at some length [see this Review, Ser. A, i, 

 p. 292 ; ii, p. 235]. 



Two articles are devoted to flies and theii relation to typhoid and 

 diarrhoea, and the possible carriage of cholera germs by their agency is 

 pointed out. Various species of Chrysomyia, Lucilia, Sarcophaga 



