176 



Saunders (P. T.)- Mai de Caderas. — West Indian Bull., Barbados, 

 xiv, no. 2, 24tli June 1914, pp. 138-143. 



In this paper a general account of this disease and its distribution 

 is given. It is regarded as practically certain that the Capybara 

 {Hydrochoerus capybara) is the natural reservoir of it. This animal is 

 known in Spanish-speaking countries as " caprincho," and its distri- 

 bution agrees very closely with that of the foe' of infection. It has 

 been observed that when there is a serious epidem'c of the disease 

 in horses, it is frequently preceded by great mortality amongst the 

 capybaras, and whenever numbers of these animals are found dead 

 on the banks of the rivers, an outbreak of mal de caderas is to be 

 expected [see this Review, Ser. B, ii, pp. 109-110]. The method of 

 transmission from these animals to horses is at present being investi- 

 gated in Brazil. The first idea, that it was carried from one animal 

 to another through the bite of leeches, has been abandoned in favour 

 of transmission by biting flies. In British Guiana, Stomoxys calcitrans 

 is suspected, but the researches of Lutz and Neiva tend to show 

 that Tabanidae are the more probable agents in Brazil. Several 

 species of Chrysops exist in Brazil and attack horses to a considerable 

 extent. The symptoms, diagnosis and post mortem appearances, 

 treatment, and prophylaxis of the disease are dealt with. The latter 

 appears to resolve itself into a campaign against capybaras or the 

 biting flies, combined with destruction of affected animals and proper 

 disposal of carcases. Destruction of the capybaras is not considered 

 feasible on account of the cost and the difficulties attending it, owing 

 to the habits of the animal, nor is there a reasonable chance of success 

 in deahng with the biting flies. The most practical measure seems to 

 consist in the protection of domestic animals in screened stables or 

 by smearing them with substances obnoxious to flies 



TowNSEND (C. H. T.). The Conquest of Verruga. A Brief Statement 

 of the Results of the Investigation. — Peru To-Day, Lima, vi, no. 2, 

 June 1914, pp. 57-67, 20 figs. 

 This paper summarises the work done on verruga [see this Review, 

 Ser. B, i, pp. 163-221 ; ii, pp. 29, 48, 59, 144], for which neosalvarsan 

 may prove to be a specific [see this Review, Ser. B, ii, p. 59]. The human 

 body may be protected against the bites of Phlebotomus by sleeping 

 under a tight muslin net, and by applying an ointment composed 

 of oi of aniseed, eucalyptus oil. oil of terebinth, and boracic 

 ointment. Where electricity is available, the sandflies can be 

 kept from a room by means of powerful lights until bed-time, after 

 which an electric fan directed full at each open window will prevent 

 their entering houses. It should be possible entirely to eradicate 

 Phhbotonws from the vicinity of habitations by clearing away all stone 

 walls and rock piles within a radius of several hundred yards, and by 

 obhterating cavities in the rock within that radius by filling them with 

 cemented masonry. 



DA SiLVA (P.). Notes sur le Kala-Azar. [Notes on Kala-Azar]. — Arq. 

 Inst. Bad. Camara Pestana, Lisbon, iv, fasc. 2, June 1914, 

 pp. 147-172, 3 figs., 2 pis. 



The occurrence of a case of undoubted kala-azar in Lisbon in 1910 



