75 
Larva of an Insect in the Human Stomach. 
mal fluids, it is necessarily eliminated by the efforts of nature ; 
sometimes alive, as in the case of the different species of Oestrus, 
hatched in the various accessible parts of quadrupeds in this 
country, and, as lately stated by Humboldt and Bonpland, of 
man himself, in the tropical countries of South America. 
6. It is clear, however, that in other instances from the very 
different nature of the larvas, the period of their final evolution 
must necessarily be far longer protracted ; and the distress and 
danger greatly increased. Those of certain coleopterous insects 
remaining in their first state, for months, and even years, the 
effects of their intrusion into the body must therefore be more 
dangerous. A case of this nature was lately communicated to 
me on the most respectable authority : A young lady from Dum- 
friesshire had been afflicted for about a year with dyspepsia, ag- 
gravated by symptoms more than usually severe. She became 
daily more emaciated and weak, and was concluded to be dy- 
ing of an incurable decline, when a violent fit of vomiting com- 
ing on, a number of insects of this race were observed among 
the ejected contents of the stomach, mixed with a considerable 
quantity of blood. After this, with very simple means, she 
daily recovered her former health. My friend did not ascertain 
the species to which these belonged, and it is to be regretted that 
specimens of them were not preserved. 
But I must conclude these remarks, my intention being to 
state briefly certain facts relating to a branch of medical learn- 
ing, which, it will probably be admitted, demands more regard 
than has of late been bestowed on it ; — a circumstance which, in 
some measure, arises from that discredit naturally enough at- 
tached to the subject by unauthenticated statements, and fre- 
quently incredible absurdities, blended with popular rumour. 
I shall only add, that the well known injuries to the health of 
communities, which always follow the use of stagnant water, may 
frequently arise, not from any supposed impregnation with de- 
composing substances, either of a vegetable or animal nature, 
but from circumstances analogous to those here described. 
