78 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, I 
TH Kfl \! I i.( TING MAM 
The American dog tick, the vector ol Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the 
! ; < given the mosl attention during the year. Biological studies 
have shown thai unfed, Immatui 
b period o 3 years and poinl to the necessity for continuing .m\ control 
• - against ii over coi iderable period. 
\ restricted survey of the heavily Infested areas on Cape Cod, Martha's 
Vineyard, and adjacent islands in Massachusetts failed to demonstrate the 
the tick parasite Eunterellus hookeri Howard which duced 
years ago. Control of the tick appears to be practica glands 
where there are relatively few favorable wild hosts of aduli I 
SURGICAL MAGGOTS 
Further Investigation on the excretions of blowfly maggots has shown that 
urea Is another excretion which contributes healing a chronic, dis- 
charging wounds. Through cooperation with a Dumber of physicians and sur- 
geons throughout the country the synthetically prepared material has 
tested onder a wide variety of conditions, such as those obtaining in osteomye- 
litis, extensive infected heat and X-ray burns, diabetic and varicose ulcers, in- 
fections of the mouth, athlete's foot, carbuncles, gangrene, and certain <kin 
infections. It has contributed to the healing of these conditions and In some 
wounds that remained unhealed for months under other treatm 
yielded promptly when area was applied. In these respects area appears 
as effective as allantoin, the first constituent found to have healing prope 
and is mere readily available. It is reported as soothing in its action, reducing 
pain and promoting growth of healthy tissue. 
HOUSEHOLD AND STORED-PRODUCT INSECTS 
Fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas of warehouses where Backed and hulk 
cottonseed meal are kept in storage gave good control of heavy infestath 
the cigarette beetle. On accounl of the great damage these insects do to fabric 
bags used in sacking cottonseed meal, experiments were undertaken to deter- 
mine the value of heavy paper bags for this purpose. While many eggs are 
deposited in the thread holes and along the thread used to stitch the hairs 
and the larvae enter the meal, no characteristic exit holes so destructive to 
fabric bags have been found. 
on accounl of the rapid spread of the furniture carpel beetle {Anthrenu* 
VOTOX CSV.) since it first appeared in this country 20 years ago, and its vora- 
cious habits, it appears highly probable that this secies will ultimately he 
classed as the most destructive carpet beetle in the United siaie<. The beetles 
iced upon anything containing such animal substances as wool. hair, fur, 
feathers, bristles, horn, tortoise shell, and silk. Normally they do not eat \ru'- 
etable fabrics, paper, leather, or softwood, hut when these become stained 
with animal excretions or when heavy infestations develop in their favorite 
foods which are in close proximity to them, the hectics win extend their 
ravages t" these substances. They may he controlled by hydrocyanic add gas 
fumigal ion. 
investigations <>n the effect of cold storage in preventing infestations of the 
webbing clothes moth and the black carpel beetle in furs and clothing indicate 
thai Infestations by these Insects cannot originate when garments are kept 
;ii a temperature of 59 v and 12 percenl relative humidity, 'fid-- has an 
Important bearing on reducing the cosl of keeping furs, clothing, and other 
materials in cold storage during the summer. 
( OOPERATIVE SEW n B 
in addition to its Investigations and ii^ giving of advice on control to nun, 
Inquirers, the Division of Insects Affecting Man and Animals has continued to 
cooperate with various Federal, state, and local agencies by making surveys, 
recommending methods of control, and giving technical direction and advice on 
control projects financed from funds available from other sources. Among the 
Items of t his nature have been the supplying of technical advice en the control of 
iltoes to those supervising projects of the Works Progress Administration 
in Oregon and Florida, to the Army and Na\y in the San Tahlo Bay district of 
