MYIASIS 219 



the eye cedematous." "When the tumour was removed down to the line of the skin a 

 large nest of maggots was found in the cheek and the whole centre was a mass of 

 maggots. " 



Lucilia sericata commonly attacks young sheep, especially 

 those suffering from diarrhoea, laying its eggs about the hind 

 quarters of these animals. The larvae burrow under the skin and 

 cause considerable sores. 



D. Siibaitaiieons myiasis. 



In Africa the larvae of theTumbu-fly, Cordylobia antJiropophaga , 

 frequently penetrate under the skin of human beings and live 

 there, giving rise to subcutaneous myiasis. Possibly the larvae 

 of Bengalia depressa behave in the same manner. In the tropical 

 parts of America a similar disease is produced by the larvae of 

 Dermatobia cyaniveiitris. In many parts of the world, including 

 the temperate climates, larvae of flies of the genus Hypoderma 

 form inflammatory tumours beneath the skin of various animals. 

 " The eggs are laid on the hairs of the victim ; and it has been 

 supposed that the newly hatched maggots bore through the skin ; 

 but Curtice gives reasons for believing that the eggs or young 

 maggots are ingested by the victim, and reach their destination 

 under the skin by an internal route. The larva has no mouth- 

 hooks. When the maggot is full grown it pierces the skih and 

 leaves its host in order to pupate" (Alcock, 191 1, p. 182). Very 

 occasionally such larvae are found causing subcutaneous tumours 

 in man. 



Tinnbii-fly disease. 



This is a disease caused by the larvae of the Tumbu-fly, 

 Coi'dylobia anthropophaga, living under the skin. According to 

 Smith (1908) the larvae attack several species of animals, 

 including men, dogs, monkeys and rats. He thinks that " the 

 flies deposit their offspring in the ground, commonly on the 

 earthern floor of a hut, and the larvae enter the skin of the person 

 or animal sleeping on the ground." The larva burrows beneath 

 the skin and becomes stationary. " The cavity in which it lives 

 is not cut off from the external air ; an opening is always left, 

 and in or near this the posterior end of the maggot lies. When 



