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toes and malaria has been established beyond a doubt. More research 
work has been done in this connection than along any other line of the 
subject. : 
While not overlooking the importance of the mosquito theory, this 
paper must deal more with the strictly bacterial diseases. 
HISTORICAL. 
We are indebted to Dr. G. H. I’. Nuttall, M. D., Ph. D., of Johns Hop- 
kins Hospital, for collecting the facts along these lines and publishing 
them in one pamphlet... There is much literature quoted on anthrax and 
its connection with various insects, particularly the fly. There are but few 
positive cases recorded, although scientists do not hesitate to say that 
insects probably do play an important part. Experimental work was car- 
ried on with anthrax and biting fiies in 1869 and 1870, independently, by 
Rainbert and Davaine. 
The bodies and the proboscides of the flies, such as tabanus, haemato- 
pota and stomoxys, were infected with anthrax material, and after a defi- 
nite time, such as two, twelve or twenty-four hours, parts of these infected 
animals were inoculated into healthy animals. In nearly all cases of this 
kind the animals died of anthrax. 
Railliet sums up these and other experiments with anthrax and biting 
flies by saying that it is conceivable that the proboscides of stomoxys and 
Similar flies may inoculate septic organisms, having previously become 
contaminated on cadavers or diseased animals; “nevertheless no direct 
proof has been given as yet in favor of this view.” Nuttall goes on to say 
that it seems ‘perfectly absurd that any value should have been attached 
to such experiments. When the insect sucks blood it injects uninfected 
saliva, and sucks up the bacteria that may adhere to its proboscis; and 
while it is conceivable that infection may occur, it is more probable, when 
we consider the process, that infection is the exception and not the rule.” 
Some forms of beetles are supposed to have been active agents in 
spreading anthrax. Proust and Hien made examinations of skins that 
had been supposed to cause anthrax in persons handling them. Living 
dermestes vulpines and various larvae were found. All the living insects 
‘were found to have spores of anthrax on their bodies and in their excreta. 
Nuttall carried on a valuable series of experiments with the bed bug 
1 Johns Hopkins Hospital Reports, Vol. VIII, Nos. 1 and 2, Baltimore, Md. 
