Pomona College Journal of Entomology 849 



THE P0SSTI5LE ETIOLOGICAL RELATION OP CERTAIN MITTNG 

 INSKCTS TO TITK Sl'REAI) OF INFANTILE PARALYSIS 



\iy UriU's ;iii(l Slu'i)i)arcl, in August Journal of Economic Entomology 



Of late a good deal of attention has been attracted towards infantile 

 paralysis (acute epidemic poliomyclHis) owing to a slight epidemic in South- 

 ern California, but very little is really known concerning tlic channels of 

 infection of this disease. 



Considerable field work during the summer of 1912 has lieen carried on 

 in various cities of IMassachusetts, and the results of this work, together with 

 a consideration of the epidemiology of the disease so far as known, points very 

 strongly toward biting flies as carriers of the virus; i)articularly tlie common 

 stable fly {Stomoxys calcitrans L.) possibly aided hy another biting fly 

 (Tabaniis lineola). So far this hypothesis has proven correct, no facts to 

 the contrary having been discovered. 



Some of the domestic animals are strongly suspected of being afflicted 

 with acute epidemic poliomyelitis, and if so, another channel of infection may 

 be open, namely, ticks. 



At present the relation between animal and human paralysis is but im- 

 perfectly understood, and it is probable that studies along this line may bring 

 out some very interesting facts concerning the spread of acute epidemic 

 poliomyelitis in man. 



More recent investigation seems to confirm the earlier work mentioned 

 above. N. W. Daniels. 



UNCONSIDERED FACTORS IN DISEASE TRANSMISSION BY 

 BLOOD-SUCKING INSECTS 



(Written by Frederick Knal) in April, 1912, Journal of Economic Entomology) 



Since it has become recognized that certain blood-sucking insects are 

 secondary hosts of pathogenic parasites, all insects feeding in this way have 

 come under suspicion. 



In order to transmit tliese diseases, it is necessary that the insect be 

 closely as.sociated for some time with man. As example of this class there are 

 Aedes calopns, the host of the yellow fever parasite, and Culcx cjuinquefax- 

 ciatits, host of filariasis and dengue fevers. With these, individuals are always 

 present with man to act as intermediaries. Another example of this cla.ss of 

 insect is the large hemipter Triafoma (Covorhinus) megistus in Brazil, trans- 

 mitter through biting of a dangerous trypanosome. This bug does not occur 

 except in close association with human beings, as to food, habitation, etc. 

 A)wphclcs in transmitting malaria will be found, wlu-n closely studied, to be 

 thus intimately connected with man also. 



There are no specimens of Anopheles on the upper Chagres river, which 

 is uninlin])ited. Suital)le breeding places for the species are there, yet because 

 of the absence of human beings for food, the mosfjuitoes do not exist. 



W. B. 



