96 DIRECT INJURIES CAUSED BY INSECTS. 



taken for lice, is the point in question ; and therefore, 

 by itself, cannot be admitted for a valid argument. 

 Though Acarus Scabici does not appear to swarm in 

 ordinary cases, yet this is certainly no reason why other 

 species may not do so. Where it has once made a 

 settlement, how incredibly, and in hew short a space 

 of time, does the Siro or cheese-mite multiply ! Acarus 

 Destructor and many other species are equally rapid in 

 their increase. Millions of lice are said by Lafontaine, 

 whom Hermann calls a very exact describer, to show 

 themselves in Plica polonica, on the third day of the dis- 

 ease a ; but whether the last-mentioned author be correct 

 in thinking it more probable that they are mites b , I have 

 not the means of judging. 



I shall now produce two instances where mites were 

 evidently concerned. Dr. Mead, from the German Ephe- 

 merides, relates the miserable case of a French nobleman, 

 from whose eyes, -nostrils, mouth, and urinary passage 

 animalcules of a red colour, and excessively minute, 

 broke forth day and night, attended by the most horrible 

 and excruciating pains, and at length occasioned his 

 death. The account further says, that they were pro- 

 duced from his corrupted blood. This was probably a 

 fancy originating in their red colour : but the whole hi- 

 story, whether we consider the size and colour of the ani- 

 mals, or the places from which they issue, is inapplicable 

 to larvte or maggots, and agrees very well with mites 9 

 some of which, particularly Leptus autumnalis, are of a 

 bright red colour. The other case, and a very similar 

 one, is that recorded by Mouffet of Lady Penruddock ; 

 concerning whom he expressly tells us, that Acari 



* Traites de Cfiirurgie, &c. Leipsig. 1792. b Mem. Apterolog. 78. 



