A 



6 



113 J 



Bolt (R. A.). Sandflies {Phlebotomus) in China and their Relation to 

 Disease. Preliminary Considerations on the Identification and 

 Distribution of Sandflies in China, with Special Reference to Phlebo- 

 tomus papatasii, Scopoli. — China Med. Jl. Shanghai, xxix, no. 2, 

 March 1915, pp. 78-86, 6 figs. 



Sandflies and the fever due to them are common in North China, 

 May and June being the worst months. The natives of the region 

 appear to be immmie, but all others suffer, especially young children. 

 Febrile attacks of three days are common and are sometimes followed 

 by prostration for a week or more. Old ruined buildings are the 

 favourite haunts of Phlebotomus. The author circulated an enquiry 

 in order to ascertain the distribution of the pest in China and the 

 replies seem to indicate that it does not occur in South China, is rare 

 along the Yangtze and attains its maximum along the line from Pekin 

 and Tientsin to Tongshan, Peitaiho, Chinwangtao, and Shanhaikwan. 

 Reports from Formosa and Korea indicate that the flies have not been 

 recognised there. The species of Phlebotomus concerned is as yet 

 undetermined, but specimens have been sent to Professor Newstead 

 for identification. A fist of 13 references concludes the article. 



Frankel (S.). Ueber ein neues, sehr wirksames Mittel gegen die 

 Kleiderlaus. [A new and very effective destroyer of clothes lice.] 

 — Wietier klinische Wochenschr., Vienna, xxviii, no. 12, 25th March 

 1915, pp. 313-314. 



In searching for a substance suitable for use against Pediculus 

 humanus {vestimenti) the author states that he accidently discovered 

 it in methylphenylether, known under the name of anisol. The 

 parasites are completely stupefied within four minutes, and in ten 

 minutes they invariably die. Anisol is harmless to man ; it is 12 

 times less poisonous than phenol if taken internally and has no action 

 on the skin if applied externally. As it labours under the disadvantage 

 of having to be imported into Austria, it is pointed out that it can be 

 readily produced by methylating phenol. 



Knab (F.). Dipterological Miscellany : Evolution of the Blood-sucking 

 Habit in Symphoromyia.—Proc. Entom. Soc. Washington^ 

 Washington, D.C., xvii, no. 1, March 1915, pp. 38-40. 



The blood- sucking habit is unequally developed in several families 

 of Diptera, and information recently received shows that certain 

 species of Symphoromyia are aggressive biters, while others are in 

 process of acquiring the blood- sucking habit. S. pachyceras, Will., 

 from British Columbia, seems to be one of the latter, as it is said to 

 bite unprotected parts of animals, but to prefer taking the blood oozing 

 from a bite left by a larger fly such as a Tabayms. The re-discovery 

 of Musca leprae, L., described on p. 598 of the 10th edition of the 

 Systema Naturae, would be of great importance, its habitat being given 

 in this book as Elephantiasi Nigritum Americae. It is suggested 

 that the West Indian islands, where elephantiasis is common, would 

 be Ukely to contain it. 



(C181) P.12/91. 1,500. 8.15. B.&F.Ltd. Gp. 11/3. * 



