POISONING EFFECT OF BEOWN-TATL HAIRS. 



25 



The moths are provided with these barbed hairs, but to a less 

 extent than the larvae, and cases of poisoning have been reported 

 during the flight of moths in the summer. 



Broken hairs which float in the air when the caterpillars, webs, 

 or cocoons are disturbed also cause severe internal irritation and 

 poisoning if the dust is inhaled or swallowed in any considerable quan- 



> 



JiK 



Fig. 7.— Hairs of the caterpillar of the brown-tail moth, highly magnified. 

 (Adapted from Kirkland.) 



tities. The poisoning has caused very serious illness to men engaged 

 in the work against the moths, in the field, and at the Parasite Labo- 

 ratory, and each year many are obliged to seek other employment, 

 and not a few have been under a physician's care. The death of one 

 man was due to severe internal poisoning contracted while employed 

 on the work, particularly while turning burlaps. 



