20 
BULLETIX 260, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF ACtBICF/LTITBE. 
additional irritant which makes sleep impossible. Equally as im- 
portant as the annoyance is the fact that fleas of all sorts are under 
suspicion at present as possible carriers of bacteria, parasites, and 
diseases of various sorts. We know that the dpg flea and the human 
flea, as well as the rat flea, are capable of transmitting bubonic 
plague to man: that the dog flea, as already noted, transmits the 
tapeworm Dipylidium camnum to man: and we are warranted in 
suspecting that additional study will add other counts to this indict- 
ment against fleas. In the meantime our actual knowledge and strong 
suspicion are ample grounds for avoiding fleas and the flea-bearing 
Fig. 12. — Dog flea (CtenocepJialus canis) : a. Egg: ft, larva in cocoon: c, pupa: d. adult; 
e, mouth-parts of same from side : f. antenna : g, labium from below. ~b, c. d, Much 
enlarged ; a, e, 1, g, more enlarged. (From Howard. Bureau of Entomology. | 
dog. It is comparatively easy to avoid annoyance from fleas in the 
absence of dogs or cats around a dwelling. Where dogs and cats are 
present it is more difficult and the animals must be closely watched 
and given appropriate treatment from time to time. For adequate 
protection it is essential that stray dogs and dogs belonging in the 
neighborhood should be prevented from becoming habitual visitors 
and utilizing the porch and hammock as sleeping quarters. 
The chicken flea [Echklnophaga gallinacea). a common pest in 
some of the Southern States, frequently infests dogs. Here, again, 
the remedies lie in the proper handling of dogs by their owners and 
the elimination of ownerless dogs or dogs whose irresponsible owners 
