TROPICAL FORESTS 
75 
tiny black spots on the wings. It should never be brushed 
off roughly as the minutely-barbed hairs of its body may be 
ground into the skin causing a sore much like a burn that 
often takes weeks to heal. 
Land leeches are common in the Asiatic tropics. They are 
not poisonous in themselves, yet their bites may become in- 
fected and if not properly cared for lead to tropical ulcers or 
“jungle sores.” One should watch for leeches on the body and 
brush them off before they have had time to bite. When they 
have taken hold they should not be pulled off forcibly. They 
can be made to release themselves and drop off by putting salt 
on them, by touching them with a moist cud of tobacco (this 
is especially effective if red pepper is mixed with the tobacco), 
by touching them lightly with the burning end of a cigarette 
or a coal from the fire, or by dropping some alcohol on them. 
Leeches try to reach mucous membranes and frequently enter 
the rectum or crawl up inside the penis without attracting 
attention until an itching sensation begins. Urination usually 
removes them immediately from the penis, but medical help 
may be needed to remove one from the rectum. After being 
satiated, however, leeches frequently leave the rectum with 
an evacuation. This produces a certain amount of blood flow 
that may be mistaken for beginning dysentery, but its short 
duration will remove fears on that score. 
Snakes and Crocodiles 
The thought of snakes usually is uppermost in the minds of 
most people at the mention of the word “jungle.” There is no 
need to be unduly concerned about them, however, as you may 
